The closure of the centre follows a notable reduction in recent weeks in the number of new Covid-19 cases reported in Qatar. Since opening at the beginning of January, more than 100,000 people have utilised the centre's services and benefited from easy access to Covid-19 tests and booster vaccination.
Dr Mariam Abdulmalik, managing director of PHCC, said: "The testing and vaccination centre at Lusail was set up to help meet the increased demand for Covid-19 testing and booster vaccinations in Qatar. The centre provided a safe and efficient way to test and vaccinate a large number of people, while reducing the risk of exposure to Covid-19 for healthcare staff and the public. This also involved rapid turnaround of test results and linkage to follow-up care when required.
"Following the recent reduction in the transmission of Covid-19 in Qatar, the testing and vaccination services will no longer be provided at the Lusail centre, although our healthcare teams continue to provide access to testing and vaccination across our 28 health centres."
Dr Abdulmalik said: "The high rate of vaccination within Qatar has substantially reduced the burden of Covid-19 in the country and played a major role in preventing severe illness in fully vaccinated people and interrupting chains of transmission. It is, therefore, imperative that this positive trend continues so that we can keep ourselves and our communities protected, and I urge everyone to make sure that they take their booster shot, when they are eligible."
In addition to the 28 PHCC health centres, Covid-19 vaccination is available at the Qatar Vaccination Centre for Business and Industry in Bu Garn. To date, more than 1.2mn people in Qatar have safely received their Covid-19 booster vaccine.
