ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to start COVID-19 vaccination for people aged 30 or above from tomorrow (Saturday), Federal Minister for Planning, Social Initiative and Development Asad Umar today (Friday) announced.
Taking to Twitter, the planning minister said the decision was made by the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) in a meeting. “The messages for those who are being scheduled will go out today,” the federal minister added.
In today’s NCOC meeting it has been decided to open up vaccination for 30 years and older starting tomorrow. The messages for those who are being scheduled will go out today.
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) May 21, 2021
The development came after the country had started registering people who are 30 years and above for the coronavirus vaccination.
Vaccination for travelers over 18
The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) on Thursday opened a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination facility for people above 18-years-old — however, only under certain circumstances.
As per details, if people above 18 years fall under the categories mentioned below, they can simply walk into any coronavirus vaccination centre, show a valid visa, and get vaccinated. The categories are: Pakistanis working abroad on a work visa; Students studying abroad; Seafarers.
The notification stated that the vaccine aspirants will have to carry their valid passport, visa or iqama to the vaccination centre, adding that once the vaccine is administered, a certificate for it will be issued on NADRA’s website.
Vaccination in Pakistan
On May 16, Pakistan had started registering people who are 30 years and above for coronavirus vaccinations, while registration for people falling in the 40-49 age group began on May 3.
Pakistan has begun the vaccination drive in February and has inoculated more than 4.7 million people, with 211,986 jabs being administered in the last 24 hours.
A digital portal has been launched by the federal government for registrations through which a code is assigned to a person.
The citizens can then go to a designated vaccination centre and get a jab. People can also message their CNIC number on 1166 and get themselves registered for the vaccine.
According to NCOC, AstraZeneca would be administered to people above 40-years, while people above 18-years will be inoculated with Sinopharm, Cansino, and Sinovac. The duration between the two doses is 12 weeks for AstraZeneca, 3 weeks for Sinopharm, and 4 weeks for Sinovac.
