Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Sunday said that Prime Minister Imran Khan is personally looking into the matter of Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East not accepting the vaccination certificate of the Chinese-manufactured Sinopharm vaccine.
The minister said this after inaugurating a vaccination facility at CDA Medical Center Qazafi Chowk G-9 Markaz Islamabad.”PM Imran has stated in the federal cabinet meeting that he would personally talk to leaders of the concerned countries,” Rashid said.
Furthermore, the interior minister thanked the World Health Organisation (WHO) for extending its full support to Pakistan in the fight against COVID-19.
Timely decisions taken by Prime Minister Imran Khan helped in containing COVID-19 in Pakistan. He added that the vaccination process in Pakistan was better as compared to other countries of the region as a large number of people were visiting vaccination centres after awareness.
Congratulating the National Command and Control Centre (NCOC) team for ensuring a smooth supply of vaccine, the minister said that NCOC ensured supply of vaccine as compared to India where notices were displayed that no vaccine available for seven days in many cities. He said that vaccine was openly available in Pakistan.
He said that Sinopharm vaccine was one of the best vaccines available in the world. He said that he salutes the Chinese government for cooperation with Pakistan for combating the pandemic.
Pfizer vaccine reserved for Hajj pilgrims, overseas students: Asad Umar
Federal Planning Minister and head of the NCOC, Asad Umar on Thursday said that the Pfizer vaccine has been reserved for Hajj pilgrims, people with work visas and students studying abroad.
The minister said this after inaugurating vaccination centre at a shopping mall in Islamabad.
“With the number of vaccination centres across the country increasing, the burden on hospital admissions has been decreasing,” he added.
Currently, there are 1700 vaccination centres across Pakistan which will be increased further gradually. Umar also urged the people to get themselves vaccinated.
On May 28, 100,000 doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine via COVAX have arrived in Pakistan.
The shipment of vaccines came with the collaboration of UNICEF South Asia and the Vaccine Alliance of the World Health Organization (WHO). In a statement, UNICEF commended Pakistan’s effort and the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination Islamabad for the successful rollout of the countrywide COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
This shipment of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines was the second consignment of vaccines received by Pakistan via COVAX. Earlier this month, UNICEF had led the efforts to procure and deliver more than 1 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to the Government of Pakistan on behalf of COVAX.
