Dr Nausheen Hamid, Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination, has said that COVID-19 vaccines will be available at regulated, low prices in the private medical sector. However, the vaccines will be provided to the public for free by the government in the first quarter of 2021.
Speaking to a local media channel, Dr Hamid said that $150 million dollars have been allocated for COVID-19 vaccine acquirement by the government, and healthcare workers and those above 65 years of age will be provided the vaccines on high priority.
She also clarified that the new strain of the coronavirus discovered in the United Kingdom (UK) is unlikely to reach Pakistan. She said there is no “scientific evidence” yet of the new strain having reached Pakistan.
However, she said, the data of all those who have travelled to Pakistan from the UK within the last 10 to 15 days has been provided to local authorities and deputy commissioners for assessment. She added that their locations are being traced and they are being tested for COVID-19.
