ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed to ensure on an emergency basis one hundred percent anti Covid-19 vaccination of children aged five to twelve.

Chairing meeting regarding Covid-19 situation in country he said screening of people at country’s borders and airports should be made more effective. He said third party audit of screening system should be carried out and report be submitted to him. Expressing satisfaction over Covid-19 situation in country, he said no death has been reported from endemic in Pakistan in last fifteen weeks which is welcome development. He expressed satisfaction over low rate of Covid-19 infection but said we have to be prepared all times. PM commended efforts put in by all relevant officials and NCOC to prevent spread of Covid-19.

Meeting was informed in detail about current situation of Covid in whole world including region and in Pakistan, new variants of endemic, measures taken to prevent them and vaccination.    It was informed that there is no apparent threat to Pakistan from new variant of Covid-19 as ninety percent of country’s population is fully vaccinated and ninety five percent of population is partially vaccinated. Vaccination rate among thirty five million children aged 5 to 12 years is 25 percent, while it will be increased to 100 percent in coming months. Average rate of infection in Pakistan is 0.2 to 0.5 percent and there has been no death from endemic over last fifteen weeks.

Meeting was also informed that effective arrangements have been made at border to prevent spread of new variant of Covid-19. Rate of random sampling at airports has been increased to two percent and screening of passengers has been made more effective along with fumigation of aircraft arriving from affected countries.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 04 2023

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