Pakistan receives first batch of Pfizer vaccine under COVAX

Pakistan has received over 100,000 doses of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine under the World Health Organisation’s COVAX programme, UNICEF’s Pakistan chapter announced in a tweet on Friday.

“Shipments of Pfizer diluents and syringes will be arriving over the next two days. The vaccines will be used for Pakistan's ongoing Covid-19 vaccination campaign,” it added.

The UNICEF also commended the government and federal ministry of health for the successful rollout of the countrywide coronavirus vaccination campaign, “excellent arrangements at vaccination centres and inclusion of all above 18 years of age”.

The shipment of Pfizer is the second consignment of vaccines received by the country via COVAX.

“Earlier this month, UNICEF had led the efforts to procure and deliver more than one million doses of AstraZenaca vaccine to Pakistan on behalf of COVAX,” said the UN agency in a statement.

“Covid-19 vaccines are safe and effective. If you are 18 or above, please send your CNIC (without space) to 1166 and get registered in government's vaccination campaign. No one is safe until everyone is safe.”

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has announced opening walk-in vaccinations for citizens aged 30 years and above from tomorrow (Saturday), as well as for teachers aged 18 and above.

In a message on his official Twitter handle, NCOC chief Asad Umar informed that the decision to allow vaccinations for citizens aged 30 and above was taken at a meeting of the NCOC

He urged all 30+ people who have registered for the vaccination to visit any vaccination centre and get inoculated.