The National Immunisation Campaign against Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) was inaugurated yesterday by HE the Minister of Public Health, Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari. The campaign runs until November 14.
The inauguration took place at Rawdat al-Khail Health Centre in the presence of the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) managing director Dr Mariam Abdulmalik, a number of top officials at the Ministry of the Public Health (MoPH), and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
The health minister urged parents to vaccinate children aged one to 13 and protect them from the infectious diseases which may cause dangerous health complications.
“The campaign is a part of Qatar’s efforts to eradicate measles by 2020. Qatar is keen on providing a healthy environment free from targeted diseases through the vaccination. In 1979, the National Immunisation Programme was established and it contained the latest and most efficient approved vaccines for children and adults. The programme had a great impact on eradicating a number of infectious diseases in Qatar.”
Dr al-Kuwari pointed out that medical teams will be available in all schools across the country for the vaccination of the school-going children and it will also be available at the Primary Health Care Centres and a number of private health facilities.
The first day of the campaign witnessed the vaccination of children in 18 independent and private schools, while the health centres received the below-age children. The vaccination will continue in all the health centres throughout the campaign in the morning and evening shifts with no need for prior appointment.
Dr Abdulmalik observed that the PHCC, through the constant co-ordination with MoPH, is playing a significant role in combating all the diseases through the various vaccination campaigns and by giving the chance to all people to take the vaccines against all types of infectious diseases.
The vaccination is carried out by about 400 members of PHCC including physicians, nurses, pharmacists and various logistic support teams to ensure that all targeted groups have taken the vaccinations.”