Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of the Infectious Diseases Division at Hamad Medical Corporation, unveiled that clinical trials have recently shown that side effects of the third or booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are similar or might be less than the side effects after receiving the second dose. Thus, there is no fear of receiving the booster dose, as he said. He also warned of severe infections among the vaccinated over time and due to immunodeficiency against the virus from the first and second doses.
Dr. Al Khal said: "I remind everyone of the importance of the precautionary measures. Although most of the population have been vaccinated, the Delta strain manages to infect vaccinated people even if infections resulting from this strain may be minor. Nevertheless, there is concern that declining immunity in the community after several months of the second dose of the vaccine may lead to more severe infections."
Dr. Al Khal urged people to receive the vaccine on time, and not to be hesistant about this.
Source: Government of Qatar