Govt rolls out Covid jabs for children
PHOTO: AFP
On the orders of the provincial government, the Covid-19 vaccination process has been stepped up to protect children in Bhakkar district from the dangerous contagion.
Coronavirus vaccine had been introduced for students over 12 years of age. In all four tehsils of the district, Bhakkar, Darya Khan, Kallur kot and Mankira, 27,000 citizens were being vaccinated on a daily basis.
A total of 605,000 citizens had been vaccinated which constitutes 60% of the total population.
Health department teams were reaching every nook and corner of the district and saving the lives of children. Government officials were reportedly conducting surprise inspections of schools to make the vaccination process more transparent.
The main purpose of the latest vaccination order, and initiative, was to ease the concerns of parents, and their children, as well as to ensure the achievement of 100% immunisation of Bhakkar’s society.
In this regard, Bhakkar Deputy Commissioner Hamid Mehmood Malhi while reviewing the vaccination process on the occasion of a surprise visit to Government Model Girls High School Bhakkar, told The Express Tribune that the government’s ‘pro-people’ initiative to immunise students above the age of 12 was the ‘best gift’ for the people of Bhakkar. “Parents should not delay vaccination of their children.”
Read More: Week-long drive to administer Covid jabs to students begins
He added, “It is one of my top priorities to ensure 100% vaccination of eligible children in government schools across the district. I will personally visit the schools of every tehsil, every union council and review the vaccination as per the government policy. I will not compromise on the conduct of government affairs.” He remarked, “Officers who work and keep merit in mind are commendable while I have no place for violators. All designated government officials should carry out the national responsibility of vaccination in the spirit of patriotism. Officials who have been negligent will not be tolerated at all and will face action.”
Earlier, the deputy commissioner visited Government Girls Model High School Bhakkar to review the coronavirus vaccination process in government schools. Health Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Rao Muhammad Suleiman, Education CEO Tariq Habib Farooqi and other officers concerned and a large number of students were also present on the occasion.
The health CEO, while giving a detailed briefing to the Bhakkar deputy commissioner, said that there were 561 health teams in schools across the district and they were doing their job well. The education CEO briefed the DC this week the inoculation teams will complete the target of vaccinating the students against the coronavirus disease in 450 schools.
The DC while instructing both the district officers said, “As per the policy of Punjab government, not a single minute should be spared in carrying out government orders regarding Covid vaccination.”
He ordered the district officers to submit a report to him on a daily basis. The DC further said, “A total of 147 students of various schools in Bhakkar’s four tehsils, who are above 12 years of age, have been vaccinated against various deadly diseases including Covid. The teams are in the field to vaccinate the rest of the children. Parents are urged to vaccinate their children against coronavirus so that the precious lives of the nation’s future can be saved.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 13th, 2021.