AKUH offers govt supplied Covid vaccine free of charge

The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) has offered the government-supplied Covid-19 vaccine Sinopharm free of charge.

According to a statement issued by the AKUH on Thursday, the service is by appointment only and for those citizens who have been registered, verified and have received their four-digit PIN from National Immunisation Management System (NIMS).

Explaining why the appointment system is put in place, the official statement stated that it is created to avoid crowding and minimise waiting at the vaccination centre.

It said that for the elderly who are homebound and cannot travel to the vaccination centre, the AKUH is offering the same vaccine free of charge at home.

"For this home service to the elderly, there is a charge of PKR3,000 (PKR2,000 for additional elderly members at the same location), only to cover the cost of staff and transport to the elderly's homes to provide vaccination and post-vaccination care and comfort."

It further said that the AKUH would continue to work closely with the government to facilitate the national vaccination efforts.

A nationwide coronavirus vaccination campaign is underway. The Covid-19 jabs are being provided to people 60 years of age and above and to front-line health workers.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Imran Khan was vaccinated against the contagion, days after President Dr Arif Alvi also took his shot.

On the occasion, PM Imran appealed to the nation to ensure full implementation of SOPs in view of the third wave of the pandemic.