1 million doses of Russian Sputnik V vaccine arrive in Islamabad

Country's 35% of the adult population has received the first shot of vaccine, says Asad Umar

The first consignment of one million doses of Russian-made Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday, the health ministry said.

Sputnik V is among the seven vaccines approved by the federal government for emergency use.

Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar, who also heads the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), tweeted that over 1.5 million doses of coronavirus vaccines, the highest-ever daily shots, were administered in the last 24 hours across the country.

35% of national eligible population has recieved atleast 1 dose. Islamabad is at 69%, azad kashmir 51%, gilgit baltistan 39%, punjab 37%, khyber pakhtunkhwah 35%, sind 32% and balochistan 12%

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) September 1, 2021

Pakistan's 35% of the adult population has received the first shot, he said.

vaccination targets set for 24 large cities by end September . Partial vaccination 60% & full vaccination 40% of eligible population. These are tough targets, specially for full vaccination but achievable with a focused effort and high quality execution inshallah

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) September 1, 2021

The country has so far inoculated nearly 57 million people out of a total 208 million population.

Read more: UAE to resume visas for tourists vaccinated against Covid-19

Pakistan is currently reeling from a deadly fourth wave of the pandemic, logging 3,559 fresh cases and 101 deaths over the past 24 hours, the ministry said.

The country's overall caseload and death toll stand at 1.16 million and 25,889, respectively.

Pakistan has been recording daily cases between 3,000 and 4,000 for the past several weeks, putting pressure on the already over-burdened hospitals, especially in the big cities.

Also read: NCOC extends anti-Covid curbs to 27 cities

Islamabad has imposed a new set of restrictions, which includes the closure of amusement parks, shrines, gyms, and cinemas, and a ban on indoor ceremonies and dining at restaurants.

All commercial activities – except for essential services – end at 8pm, whereas they are closed for two days a week.

Educational institutions across the country remain open for three days a week with 50% attendance.