Vaccinations in Qatar

Ensuring one’s health, especially when outside the country is a must. In Qatar, a few vaccinations are highly recommended, though not required.

Hepatitis A is one of the diseases one must be vaccinated against. This is given twice with an interval of 12 months and lasts for 25 years. Avoiding street foods and drinking tap water is also a preventive measure that protects one from being infected. Hepatitis B is another disease to be avoided, but this is acquired through unprotected sex, sharing of needles and other ways that an infected person's body fluids enter another person's bloodstream. Expats who will be working closely with animals such as zookeepers and animal researchers should make it a point to be vaccinated against rabies. Yellow fever is not a problem in Qatar, but a yellow fever certificate maybe required for those people who come from the countries where the disease occurs.

Visiting a physician before going to Qatar is highly recommended. For vaccinations to take full effect, it is advised that these vaccinations are received 2-4 weeks before departure. Routine vaccinations against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus and poliovirus should also not be taken for granted. Children should be given their shots on schedule while adults must get their boosters. Depending on the specific vaccine, a certain timeframe is needed for protection to be possible. This is a very basic reason why consultation with a travel doctor is necessary. A travel health specialist knows what vaccinations are needed and when they should be given.

Photo: NIAID