Pakistan targets to vaccinate 40 percent of its total “eligible population” by the end of August.
Countries formed their respective committees to assess and govern their various efforts in managing and combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Pakistan is not an exception and formed the National Command and Operation Center in April 2020.
Since the emergence of the pandemic, the agency has provided recommendations to its parent department, the National Coordination Committee. In the country’s latest battle against the global crisis, the committee released new guidance regarding travels and vaccinations.
The Hindustan Times reported that the NCOC is placing a travel ban on domestic flights for those who have yet to take their COVID-19 vaccines. The guidance, however, comes with exemptions.
Domestic flight bans for unvaccinated individuals
Over the weekend, the National Command and Operation Center of Pakistan announced that it will forbid domestic air travel for unvaccinated citizens. This will apply to everyone who is above the age of 18 starting from August 1.
The agency clarified, though, that the guidance will exempt those that are traveling to and from abroad. It will not also be applicable to “link flights,” particularly those that are within 72 hours of arrival or departure.
Citizens who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be exempted, as well. The same goes for all foreign nationals, patients with clinical conditions, and Pakistanis with “documentary proof” of vaccination abroad.
Vaccination rate across the country
The vaccination rate in Pakistan is low. The share of the population who have received at least a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is only 4.2 percent, according to Our World In Data’s figures, covering from February to mid-June.
Meanwhile, the rate of fully vaccinated citizens is 3.1 percent, data that covers only up to July 21. In figures, the rates equate to 9.31 million and 6.87 million, respectively.
Total vaccinations carried out so far now exceed two and a half crores. Total number of people vaccinated has now crossed 2 crores. Further acceleration being planned for august. By end August all major cities target is to have at least 40% of eligible population vaccinated.
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) July 25, 2021
On Sunday, the Chairman of the NCOC released an update about the country’s COVID-19 vaccination on social media. Asad Umar noted that over 20 million individuals have already received the vaccines.
He then added that Pakistan has plans to accelerate its vaccination programs next month. The target is to vaccinate 40 percent of the country’s “eligible population” by the end of August.
The fourth wave of the pandemic in Pakistan
On Friday, the country’s overall COVID-19 case tally crossed the 1 million mark. The Ministry of National Health Services also reported on Sunday that the death toll exceeded the 23,000-mark, as well, during this period.
Pakistan is now in its fourth wave of the pandemic. It is reportedly experiencing the highest “positive rate” of 6.32 percent since the wave hit earlier this month.
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