Doha: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has approved the administration of the Pfizer-Biontech Covid-19 vaccine to children aged 5 to 11 and the vaccines will be provided in all health centers from today, Sunday January 30, 2022.
The ministry noted that the “Pfizer-Biontech” vaccine will be administered to children aged 5 to 11 – optional – in two doses, to vaccinate against the Covid-19 virus, with the second dose being administered three weeks after the first dose.
The ministry indicated that this approval is in line with the latest local and international studies that have shown the safety and efficacy of the Pfizer-Biontech vaccine for this age group, in addition to clinical evidence available in several countries around the world that have already started to vaccinate children aged 5 to 11 years.
The dose of vaccine will be one third of that used for older age groups.
The ministry said in a statement that this step is very important to ensure the protection of children in this age group from the risk of Covid-19 infection, as the current wave with the spread of the highly contagious infection of Omicron mutant observed in a large number of children, and some cases required medical attention compared to previous waves.
The MoPH has called on parents and guardians, in light of the continuing surge of Omicron mutants in Qatar, to ensure that their children between the ages of 5 and 11 receive the vaccine to boost their immunity against this virus.
The MoPH has advised that Covid-19 vaccines will be provided to children at all Primary Health Care Corporation health centers from today, Sunday 30th January 2022 and parents of children eligible to receive the vaccination can call the Primary Health Care Corporation hotline. Health Care Corporation at 40277077 to make an appointment to have their children vaccinated, and health centers will also accept walk-ins for this category.