Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has launched its annual campaign to vaccinate ninth and tenth-grade students against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) for 2026. The initiative is conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Hamad Medical Corporation, and the Primary Health Care Corporation, targeting 51,772 students across 278 public, private, and community schools.

Parents have been notified to provide consent for their children to participate. The Ministry of Public Health calls on parents to encourage their children to benefit from the vaccination campaign, given its significant role in strengthening their health and protecting them against serious communicable diseases. Dr. Hamad Eid Al-Romaihi, Director of Health Protection and Communicable Disease Control at MoPH, noted that since 2011, the Tdap campaign has achieved high and sustainable coverage rates thanks to healthcare professionals, partner support, and community cooperation.

The campaign is part of Qatar’s National Health Strategy (2024–2030), focusing on improving population health and well-being. Awareness programs targeting students and parents are included to address misconceptions and promote a culture of preventive healthcare.

An awareness workshop was held last Saturday for around 240 medical and nursing staff, covering vaccine administration, management of minor side effects, and guidance for parents. Administrative arrangements were also reviewed to ensure smooth implementation and successful outcomes of the campaign.