COVID-19: Pakistan to receive 19 million vaccine doses by June, says Dr Faisal

COVID-19: Pakistan to receive 19 million vaccine doses by June, says Dr Faisal

Islamabad (Web Desk): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan on Monday said that so far the government has signed agreement for procuring 30 million coronavirus vaccine doses, adding that 19 million doses will be received by June.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, the SAPM said that the government was not relying on donations and 90 per cent of the doses were being purchased.

He said that 150,000 vaccines are being administered on a daily basis. "Our target is to increase this capacity to 300,000," he said.

The SAPM added that local filling of the single-dose CanSino vaccine was about to begin in the country, under which three million doses will be prepared at the National Institute of Health each month. "This will reduce our dependence on imported doses," he said.

Meanwhile, The COVID-19 vaccination for people ageing between 40 to 49 years across the country has started from today (Monday.).

The vaccine registration for the age group has been going on since April 27, whereas the walk-in vaccinations for people aged 50 and above are underway.

Pakistan is currently vaccinating people who are 50 plus and healthcare workers with Chinese vaccines.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), Vaccination centres are vaccinating people in two shifts during Ramadan.

A digital portal has been launched by the federal government for the registration through which a code is assigned to the person and then they can go to a designated vaccination centre and get a jab.