THE country achieved yet another major milestone in the anti Covid vaccination campaign, covering 100 million people who have received at least one dose of vaccine.
Of these, nearly seventy five million are fully vaccinated, which is thirty-three per cent of the eligible population.
National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) headed by Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar really deserves appreciation for pursuing a robust strategy that not only contained the spread of the pandemic but also ensured the people are vaccinated at a fast pace.
It will be unfair not to commend China which immediately came forward and donated vaccines to Pakistan to provide protection against the pandemic.
As also stated by the Minister for Planning and Development, the work is not complete yet and the current momentum of vaccination must continue given the recent rise seen in Coronavirus cases.
The national positivity rate stood at 4.70 percent with 2074 new cases reported on Tuesday.
Indeed, checking this trend is important in order to avoid extra pressure on the health infrastructure.
The best option currently available is only the vaccination.Hence, the people must fulfil their responsibility and those who have yet not got the vaccine shot must get the same at the earliest.
The existing vaccines clearly are providing protection against the new variant Omicron from severe disease.In vaccine shy countries, the pandemic is proving to be disastrous.
For instance, reluctance to abide by Covid-19 restrictions in Poland fuelled a surge in infections which has led to deaths of over one hundred thousand people.
Restrictions have once again been imposed in Delhi after the rise in Omicron cases.Given the current economic situation, our country cannot afford closure of businesses.
Addressing the media after the cabinet meeting, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain also ruled out lockdowns and closure of schools.
Already the closure of educational institutions has badly affected the education of our children.
Hence, whilst ensuring the safety of children, the schools must not be closed and planning should be made in advance ensuring as to how the future exams can be held in a safe environment.
An awareness campaign must continue advising the people to continue to observe health guidelines for their own safety and those of others.