One week has passed since the first Covid-19 vaccine has been given in Qatar and the post-vaccine surveillance showed that no serious side effects have been reported, a senior official of the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) said Tuesday.
"The vaccine has proven to be safe from the surveillance we conducted over the last few days and that is very reassuring and consistent with the clinical trials that led to the authorisation of its use. Most of the side effects are mild and there has been no report of allergic reactions to it since we started,” explained Dr Samya al-Abdulla, executive director of operations at PHCC.
A small number of those vaccinated reported very modest side effects including low-grade fever, mild headache, fatigue and soreness at the injection site, which is commonly seen with other vaccines.
"We know from recently completed clinical trials and post marketing surveillance of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine that serious reactions are rare. The potential benefits of such a highly effective vaccine outweighs any potential risk that maybe rarely associated with it,” the official said.
Since the start of the vaccination campaign on December 23, the PHCC teams have successfully vaccinated clients at seven designated health centres at Al Wajbah, Leabaib, Al Ruwais, Umm Salal, Rawdat Al Khail, Al Thumama and Muaither.
The ongoing first phase of the vaccination programme includes those 70 years of age and older, those with severe chronic conditions and key healthcare professionals working in close contact with Covid-19 patients. It also includes essential and frontline workers of key ministries and governmental entities.
"The unprecedented collaborative efforts in vaccinating most of the population of the country are intended to control the pandemic and allow for the gradual return towards normal life," Dr al-Abdulla added.
Members of the community who are eligible for the vaccine will be contacted through phone/SMS by the PHCC team to invite them to attend an appointment at one of the seven designated health centres.
For more information on the Covid-19 vaccine, one can visit this link.
A small number of those vaccinated reported very modest side effects including low-grade fever, mild headache, fatigue and soreness at the injection site, which is commonly seen with other vaccines.
"We know from recently completed clinical trials and post marketing surveillance of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine that serious reactions are rare. The potential benefits of such a highly effective vaccine outweighs any potential risk that maybe rarely associated with it,” the official said.
Since the start of the vaccination campaign on December 23, the PHCC teams have successfully vaccinated clients at seven designated health centres at Al Wajbah, Leabaib, Al Ruwais, Umm Salal, Rawdat Al Khail, Al Thumama and Muaither.
The ongoing first phase of the vaccination programme includes those 70 years of age and older, those with severe chronic conditions and key healthcare professionals working in close contact with Covid-19 patients. It also includes essential and frontline workers of key ministries and governmental entities.
"The unprecedented collaborative efforts in vaccinating most of the population of the country are intended to control the pandemic and allow for the gradual return towards normal life," Dr al-Abdulla added.
Members of the community who are eligible for the vaccine will be contacted through phone/SMS by the PHCC team to invite them to attend an appointment at one of the seven designated health centres.
For more information on the Covid-19 vaccine, one can visit this link.