Pakistan plans to open registration for COVID-19 vaccination for all citizens after Eid. Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar announced it on Thursday. He speaking to select senior journalists.
The announcement comes a day after over 100 deaths were reported for the second consecutive day on Wednesday. Now the overall tally is 15,000 mortalities in Pakistan, said Dawn. Umar termed the next five to six weeks “critical” for the ongoing third wave of the virus in Pakistan.
He said so far 14,000 people had received vaccination through the private sector. Meanwhile, 1.1 million were inoculated as part of the government campaign.
The minister said China was Pakistan’s “primary source” for vaccination for now. He added that the Cansino COVID-19 vaccine will also be available in the country after Eid.
“We will be able to vaccinate more than 125,000 people per day after Eid,” Umar told media representatives.
He added the current number of critical care patients in the country was higher than during the first coronavirus wave.
“Strict enforcement of SOPs (standard operating procedures) can bring down the rising rate of infection,” Umar stressed.
Coronavirus cases in Pakistan
Pakistan reported 5,329 coronavirus cases and 98 deaths during the last 24 hours. This is the highest number of daily Covid-19 infections so far this year. It is also the highest since June 16, 2020, when 5,090 cases were reported. Meanwhile, the current positivity rate is 10.7%.
Pakistan is currently offering free vaccines to frontline healthcare workers and people over the age of 50. But the drive has thus far been slow. Last month the country allowed commercial imports by the private sector for the general public. The first round saw the sale of the two-shot Russian Sputnik V to the public for Rs12,000 ($80) for a pack of two doses.
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