Staff Reporter
Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid on Monday confirmed that the Punjab has received the first batch of 70,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine, from the 0.5 millions shots donated by China and arrived in Islamabad. “The Punjab chief minister will launch the coronavirus vaccination drive in the province from Wednesday and frontline health workers will be given priority in the first phase.” Addressing a press conference, she said that the inoculation process will be launched in the province from Wednesday. “The vaccination drive will begin simultaneously across Pakistan.” “China has gifted vaccine to Pakistan and the government has discussed the matter with all provinces,” the Punjab’s health minister pointed out, adding that It is disinformation that Sindh has imported coronavirus vaccine and vaccination being started in the province.
The provincial minister said that this will be followed by vaccination for the elderly over 65 years of age. Dr Yasmin Rashid said that 189 vaccination centers have been established in Punjab for this purpose. The minister declared that no VIP will be preferred for vaccine as front-line healthcare workers would have foremost priority in the vaccination drive.
“China is an all-weather friend, we are grateful for its gift of 0.5 million vaccine doses,” Dr Yasmeen said. She said that all Chief Ministers will launch Covid-19 vaccination for the front-line health workers. “Pakistan has also secured 17 million vaccine doses with Covax vaccine alliance for its population and more vaccine shots will reach the country by the end of February,” the minister said. It is to be mentioned here that a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) plane with the first batch of COVID-19 vaccine doses reached Islamabad this morning.
The plane carrying 500,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine, gifted from China to Pakistan landed at the Noor Khan Airbase. According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), all arrangements for storage, transportation and administration of the vaccine have been finalized.
