Dr. Faisal Sultan said that about 100 million people in Pakistan meet the criteria for the administration of the COVID vaccine
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr. Faisal Sultan said that 70% of the country’s population will be vaccinated for COVID-19 by the end of 2021. He was talking to the press at the National Command and Control Centre (NCOC) in Islamabad. This is a much higher expected number than the previously suggested 10% of the total population due to lack of availability of the vaccines.
“The vaccines will be administered in a phased process, with frontline healthcare workers being the first ones to receive the doses,” Faisal said. “The population eligible to receive the doses technically totals 100 million and only those above the age of 18 can receive it.”
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The COVID-19 vaccination drive started in Islamabad a couple of days back after the first batch of half a million doses were received from China. The earlier vaccinations will prioritize the healthcare workers and the elderly that are highly at risk from the virus. At the moment, SinoPharm vaccine is being administered which has proven to be fairly effective. A number of GCC countries also benefiting from the same vaccine.
The National Immunization Management System will track the vaccinations delivered and the need for future doses. The staff administrating the vaccines has been trained for the very purpose.
“Officials have been working hard to ensure ample coordination between the institutions and ensure that the inoculation drive is carried out smoothly,” Faisal maintained.