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Wednesday, February 03, 2021, 16:37
Pakistan launches vaccination drive in Islamabad
By Kaswar Klasra in Islamabad
Wednesday, February 03, 2021, 16:37 By Kaswar Klasra in Islamabad

This handout photograph taken and released by Pakistan's Press Information Department (PID) on Feb 2, 2021, shows Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan (C back) witnessing the first Chinese-made COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine being administered to a frontline health worker in Islamabad. (PID / AFP)

Prime Minister Imran Khan witnessed the launch of Pakistan’s much-needed coronavirus vaccination campaign Tuesday evening, with the first jab administered to a doctor in Islamabad and the provinces following suit on Wednesday.

READ MORE: Pakistan receives China-donated vaccines

Asad Omar, Federal Minister for Planning Development & Special Initiative, said frontline health professionals are being vaccinated in the first phase.

“Hundreds of vaccination centers in the country have been set up across Pakistan. We will establish more in the future,” said Omar by phone, who is also head of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

Earlier, Omar announced that the government had received a letter from Covax saying 17 million doses of the Astra­Zeneca vaccine would be provided to Pakistan in the first half of 2021.

The vaccination drive was launched a day after the arrival of 500,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine gifted by China

 “Everyone in Pakistan will be vaccinated,” he stressed.  

The vaccination drive was launched a day after the arrival of 500,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine gifted by China.

Speaking at a ceremony held in Islamabad to mark the launch of the coronavirus vaccination drive, Prime Minister Imran Khan voiced thanks to China for the valuable gift and congratulated his government's health team for moving rapidly to secure the vaccine for masses.

Pakistan recorded first confirmed case of the coronavirus on Feb 26 last year. According to Pakistan’s National Command and Operation Center, by Feb 2, 2021 the country had recorded 547,648 confirmed cases, while 11,746 people had lost their lives due to the disease.

Dr Faisal Sultan, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health told journalists in Islamabad on Tuesday that the vaccination drive was to kick start in rest of Pakistan on Wednesday.

ALSO READ: Chinese vaccines help countries battle COVID-19

Frontline workers including doctors and paramedical staff have been risking lives to save the nation from the pandemic. Faisal said. “We have lost hundreds of colleagues, including senior doctors and non-Medical staff at hospitals. Hence, they deserve to be administered the vaccine on priority.”

He added the COVID-19 vaccine is being offered to the public free of charge.

Major General Aamer Ikram, Executive Director of National Institute of Health said over telephone that Sinopharm vaccine “worked heavily” during trials. “It will give desired results Insha’Allah (God willing).”

Frontline health workers have appreciated efforts of both the government and China.

“China has once again come to rescue us,” said Dr Wasim Khawaja, spokesperson of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.

Dr Sobia Ali Hina, a young practitioner based in Islamabad also appreciated China’s gift of vaccine after providing personal protection equipment, masks and ventilators during first phase of pandemic. “We are grateful to China for doing the needs in the critical days we are passing through,” she said.

The author is a freelance journalist for China Daily.


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