Doha: As the world is slowly preparing for the delta variant, officials in Qatar are also working hard to prevent the spread of the contagious virus. Dr Hanadi Al Hamad talked about the importance of vaccines against the Covid-19 in the current situation in the country. He urged that the people in Qatar should take the vaccines as the Delta variant is a major threat to the unvaccinated, especially the older people. 

“Similar to most countries around the world, the Delta variant is now prominent in Qatar. This particular virus is more contagious and causes more severe symptoms than other strains, which is especially risky for our elderly population who are more at risk due to physiological changes that come with ageing and potential underlying health conditions,” said Dr Al Hamad.

“Our records show that the majority of hospital admissions for people over 65 are of individuals who are not fully vaccinated. It is so important that people understand that COVID-19 can be a dangerous illness, particularly for older people. It is even more dangerous for those who have other medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, that affect the body’s natural ability to fight infections,” added Dr Al Hamad.

Dr. Soha Al Bayat, Head of Vaccination at the Ministry of Public Health, asks eligible people who are not yet vaccinated to act now, get vaccinated and get protected. pic.twitter.com/1HxApck8Dc

— وزارة الصحة العامة (@MOPHQatar) August 6, 2021

The older people of Qatar seems to be in a confusion about the vaccine’s efficacy and age-related problems also tends to add up the list of unvaccinated older people. They often underestimate the seriousness of the disease. Hamad Medical Corporation is doing its best to get the vaccination for unvaccinated older people. The corporation is using their Elderly Telephone Reassurance Service to reach the remaining unvaccinated ones over the age of 65. They are also giving the assurance that the vaccines are safe. 

“We sometimes get families asking why their father or mother, who is perhaps over 80 years old and homebound, should get vaccinated and whether it is even safe for them given their frail state. We answer that even if you don’t go out much, you can still get infected through friends, family or other people in your household. It is important for older people to engage in family life but it is better for them to first have the added protection that this vaccine brings,” explained Dr Al-Hamad.

“The vaccines provided by the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar are very safe; although the vaccines may have been developed only last year, they are based on effective clinical research and use tried and test methodology that has been around for many years. In Qatar have we already administered over 3.8 million doses; we have also vaccinated nine out of ten people aged 65 and above. Our goal now is to reach the remaining older adults in the country who are eligible to receive the vaccine and help them get the protection they deserve,” added Dr Al Hamad.

It is even easy for the older people as they can book their covid 19 vaccination appointments by calling the PHCC 4027 7077 or HMCs Home Healthcare Service call centre on 4439 0111. They can also visit the Ministry of Public Health COVID-19 website covid19.moph.gov.qa

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