Second phase of coronavirus vaccination drive Kicks off
ISLAMABAD: The second phase of Pakistan’s vaccination drive against coronavirus targeting people over the age of 60 started today.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan also announced this news in his tweeter post stated that “Pak Covid-19 vaccination, next phase – starting 10 March, inshAllah. Beginning with the senior-most citizens, who will receive SMS with instructions on their cell phones.”
The ministry of national health also confirmed the Covid vaccination drive has begun. The people from federal capital above 60 years of age shall be jabbed free of cost in the fifteen vaccination centres put up across the city.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) had approved the Sinopham coronavirus vaccine for people above 60 years of age. The Sinopharm vaccine was being administered to people up to the age of 60 years, however, it would now be used to inoculate citizens above 60 years of age too.
Meanwhile, Islamabad senior citizens complain of difficulties in getting Covid shots. According to the details, some 500 senior citizens were scheduled to get their Sinopharm jabs today (Wednesday) in the federal capital however so far only 188 could receive their shots according to the reports, as some elderly people also complained about the difficulties they faced.
The health ministry explained the difficulties cropped up due to not heeding the time assigned to people for their jabs.
The ministry officials said if the time set on the messages, sent out by NADRA to all the registered people, is observed the people can easily and conveniently receive their vaccinations.
This comes as the government had launched the COVID-19 vaccine drive in early February beginning with the healthcare workers in the first phase after receiving 500,000 Sinopharm doses from China.
According to the details, at least 25% of the 400,000 registered doctors, nurses and paramedical staff registered have been vaccinated. The official said under the GAVI-COVAX programme for countries, Pakistan was also likely to receive 17 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by end of June. Seven million doses would be available in the first quarter and 10 million doses in the second quarter.
