Qatar- Ministry announces changes to second dose vaccination process

(MENAFN - The Peninsula) To ensure the smooth delivery of COVID-19 vaccination to the public, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has announced changes to second dose vaccination process, yesterday. 'To ensure that we continue to deliver smooth and efficient service, and for your own safety and that of our healthcare staff, please follow the instructions when visiting the vaccination centers for your second dose of vaccine, MoPH said in a tweet. According to the Ministry, those who receive the first dose of COVID-19 in a health center will be booked into the same health center for their second dose. 'Patients who received their first dose at a health center in the last 20 days and were referred to a drive-through vaccination center for their second dose, will receive an SMS to reschedule the appointment at a Primary Health Care Corporation's (PHCC) health center, said the Ministry. The Ministry has also emphasized that people visiting a health centre without a fixed or scheduled appointment will not be vaccinated. All attending an appointment for second dose of COVID-19 vaccination will be requested to show their Ehteraz status as green, their vaccination card and their QID, before vaccination. The Ministry has also clarified those referrals to a drive-through center either in Lusail or Al Wakra for the second dose will only be for those who received their first dose at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). People will receive an SMS specifying the time slot during which they can visit the drive-through for their second vaccine. 'No second doses will be given before the due date: 21 days after the first dose for Pfizer and BioNTech and 28 days after the first dose for Moderna, said the Minisrty. People need to visit the drive-through center in their own vehicle, or taxi (no buses or people on foot are permitted) and will be requested to show their Ehteraz status as green, their vaccination card and their QID. In case if anyone misses the scheduled time of their second dose, they will receive an SMS with a rescheduled appointment at a PHCC health center. Under the National COVID-19 Vaccination Program, 152,6775 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered since the start of the programMENAFN30042021000063011010ID1102006367