The government of Pakistan is planning to take another big initiative to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The major development in this regard is that government of Pakistan is going to provide free vaccination in the country for the safety of the masses and to get rid of this fatal infection as soon as possible. The Parliamentary Secretary for National Health Services, Dr. Nausheen Hamid has announced via her Twitter account that:
“The PTI government will provide the coronavirus vaccine free of charge to people. Government will start the vaccination from the second quarter of 2021”.
According to Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health, Dr. Faisal Sultan said, vaccine will be provided to frontline healthcare workers in the first stage and at the second stage elderly population will be given COVID-19 vaccination free of cost. At the third stage, the government will provide free coronavirus vaccination to general public.
According to SAPM on Health, for the procurement of the vaccine, the cabinet has decided to give 150 million rupees. If needed, government will be asked to increase the funds. The government has shortlisted some major companies for the procurement of the vaccine.
It is mandatory to mention here that the COVID-19 vaccine that was approved by CanSino Biologics of China is at clinical trials and proved positive for the treatment.