Covid-19 vaccination drive to start on Feb 1

In the face of rising cases of Covid-19 infections particularly that of Omicron variant being more infectious than other variants and in pursuance of decision of National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) and government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Phase-I Covid vaccination campaign is starting from 1st February, 2022. The campaign will continue for 14 days in 22 districts with an aim to achieve 90 per cent first dose coverage across the province to control the viral spread.

All private schools across the province will serve as an essential platform for Covid-19 vaccination drive and all the students above 12 plus years of age should get their 1st/2nd dose of Covid-19 vaccine during these 14 days of activity.

In this regard all the owners of the private schools are instructed to extend full cooperation in the vaccination campaign. Private schools must ensure that consent of parents regarding vaccination be obtained prior to first February and the schools should not allow those students whose parents refuse to get their children vaccinated.

Furthermore, non-cooperative schools shall be closed down by the respective district administration and other punitive action shall also be taken against the schools as per laws in vogue.

On the other hand the Covid positivity rate has jumped to 36 per cent in Peshawar, 49 per cent in Kohat, 43 per cent in Khyber and 33 per cent in Malakand Division. As per the official sources in Mardan the ratio has been recorded at 21 per cent, Nowshera 19 per cent, Abbotabad 15 per cent and Bannu 12 per cent.

Read NCOC extends Covid curbs till Feb 15

A meeting of Education Department was held here chaired by Education Minister Shahram Khan Tarakai in which a target of vaccinating 99 per cent student of private schools was set. The school administrations were warned that all those schools will be closed down which will fail in meeting vaccination targets and further action will be taken against the administration too.

The meeting noted that 53 per cent students of 12 year or above age had already been vaccinated in the province and 47 per cent need to be vaccinated.

It is worth noting here that in Chitral around 73.40 per cent population has received first dose which is highest in the province. South Waziristan remains at the bottom of the list with just 10.35 per cent. Haripur has achieved 63.01 per cent, Charsadda 59.62 per cent, Abbotabad 57.34 per cent, Manshera 55.52 per cent, Swabi 52.43 per cent, Kurram 52.60 per cent, Mardan 51.43 per cent, Nowshera 50.77 per cent, Orakzai 50.76 per cent, Swat 50.52 per cent, Malakand 50.07 per cent, Kohat 48.17 per cent, Shangla 47.95 per cent, Buner 47.14 per cent, Peshawar 46.46 per cent, Battagram 45.74 per cent, Karak 45.42 per cent, Dir Lower 44.57 per cent, Mohmand 43.14 per cent, Dera Ismail Khan 42.58 per cent, Hangu 38.78 per cent, Tank 36.21 per cent, Dir Upper 35.25 per cent, Torghar 33.21 per cent, Lakki Marwat 30.40 per cent, Khyber 30.30 per cent, Bannu 30.10 per cent, Bajaur 25.33 per cent, North Waziristan 22.83 per cent, Kohistan 19.90 per cent, and in South Waziristan only 10.35 per cent population has been vaccinated with first dose.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th, 2022.