All arrangements in place, Covid-19 vaccine to arrive from China next week: SAPM Dr Faisal.

Byline: Rahul Basharat

ISLAMABAD -- Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on National Health Services (NHS) Dr. Faisal Sultan on Thursday said all arrangements for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine from China are in place and the vaccine will arrive in the coming week.

SAPM on NHS said this while briefing the Standing Committee on NHS here chaired by Senator Khushbakht Shujaat. While being briefed by Dr. Faisal Sultan about the government's COVID-19 vaccination plan to ensure equitable access to the vaccine, the committee was assured that all arrangements are in place and the vaccine will be available in Pakistan hopefully in the coming week.

The Committee was informed that a system had been formulated in collaboration with NADRA to ensure that everyone has access to the vaccine. The process will begin with frontline healthcare workers and will proceed to senior citizens more than 65 years of age who are at high risk.

In this regard, all efforts have been done, he added. Procurement of vaccine will be made through vaccine companies directly and by COVAX also which is the global initiative to ensure rapid and equitable access for all countries, Dr. Sultan asserted that 20 per cent of the population will be covered through it.

The meeting commenced with consideration of the 'Prevention and Control of the Infectious Diseases Bill, 2020,' moved by Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi in the Senate on 26th October, 2020 which was passed unanimously. The Committee opined that this was a futuristic bill and will be extremely beneficial for the whole country. Chairperson Committee, while raising concerns regarding rumour mongering against the vaccine, said that an awareness campaign to counter this narrative is essential. Dr. Faisal Sultan informed the Committee that the campaign was ready and would be launched in line with...