Qatar's National COVID-19 Vaccination Program: FAQ

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) administered 327,582 COVID-19 vaccine doses since the start of the COVID-19 National Vaccination Program. 

This ensures that 10% of Qatar's adult population has already received at least one vaccine dose, said H E Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health.

To clarify and to educate the citizens and residents, the Ministry has listed down a few important questions in multiple languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Nepali, Tagalog, Tamil, Malayalam and Urdu. 

What are the current priority groups eligible for vaccinations?
1) People aged 50 years of age and above regardless of their health conditions 
2) People with moderate chronic medical conditions 
3) Additional healthcare professionals and other key workers in different ministries and industries, including teachers and administration staff in education

Where can people get their vaccine and what is the process? 
1. All 27 PHCC primary health centers - The vaccine is offered in all 27 health centers by invitation only according to the phased vaccination plan. The targeted groups will receive an SMS invitation to come to their health center on a specified date and time. 
2. Qatar National Convention Center - Teachers and school administration staff are being prioritized at QNCC, additionally the vaccine is offered to other professionals and key workers in different ministries and industries. Attending QNCC is by invitation only. The targeted groups will receive an SMS invitation to come to the vaccination center on the dates specified for both their first and second dose of the vaccine. 
3. COVID-19 Drive-through Vaccination Center in Lusail - The Center caters only for people receiving their second dose. PHCC will notify eligible people if their second dose will be administered at the Drive-Through Center or a primary health center. People do not need a time-specific appointment to attend the drive-through center, they can attend at any time during operational hours on the due day of their second dose.

It is possible to travel abroad immediately after receiving the second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. The Ministry also further reiterated that exemption from quarantine arrangements apply as long as the return date from travel is 14 days after the second dose.

Quarantine exemption criteria:
- 14 days must have passed after receiving the second dose and a negative PCR test is required on return to Qatar following travel or following exposure.
- The quarantine exemption is valid for a period of three months, starting 14 days after the second dose, and this may be extended in the future with the availability of more clinical evidence.
- The exemption does not currently apply to people vaccinated in other countries.

Children up to 16 years old will be exempted from hotel quarantine only if accompanied by a parent who has received the full course of the COVID-19 vaccine in Qatar. But the child will be required to quarantine at home for 7 days. 

For parents travelling with a minor aged 16-18 where the minor has not received the vaccine in line with the above qualifications, they will need to book a “Welcome Home Package” and follow the same conditions outlined in the rest of this document, regardless if the parent has received the vaccinations or otherwise.

As seen on Peninsula Qatar  Image Credits Peninsula Qatar