70pc population to be administered Covid-19 vaccine by year end: Dr Faisal

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan said on Wednesday that 70 per cent of the country's population will receive the Covid-19 vaccine by the current year's end.

"The vaccines will be administered in a phased process, with frontline healthcare workers being the first ones to receive the doses," Dr Faisal said while addressing a presser at the National Command and Control Centre (NCOC) in Islamabad as the drive kicked-off nationwide.

"The population eligible to receive the doses technically totals 100 million and only those above the age of 18 can receive it," he added.

Also read: Vaccine doses arrive in Karachi

According to the SAPM, the first phase will start today by administering the vaccine to some 0.5 million healthcare workers. In the second phase, it will be administered to about 9.5 million citizens above the age of 65 years.

"In the third phase, the doses will be given to 0.6 million general healthcare staffers and to the 6.3 million people between the age of 60 to 65."

Dr Faisal said adequate doses will be available in the forthcoming months, adding that Pakistan is in contact with several countries regarding the vaccines.

Protection and safety

The SAPM said that the Sinopharm vaccine has proven efficacy of 79 to 86 per cent, adding that it has been authorised for use in China, Egypt, and the UAE following tests. "It is a useful and beneficial vaccine," he added.

He went on to add that Sinopharm is completely safe for use and so the masses should dismiss any reservation about its use.

Also read: Explainer: How to get the Covid vaccine in Pakistan

Provision of doses

The premier's aide further said that healthcare workers have received the necessary training for administering the vaccines, whereas the NIMS system will be used to keep track of the registration and the next planned doses.

"Officials have been working hard to ensure ample coordination between the institutions and ensure that the inoculation drive is carried out smoothly," he maintained.

The nationwide inoculation campaign for the novel coronavirus begun in the country today. On Monday, the country received the first consignment of 500,000 doses produced by China’s Sinopharm.