Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health – Dr Faisal Sultan has apprised that more than 140,000 healthcare workers in the country have been inoculated against COVID-19 so far.
In a statement, SAPM Dr Faisal Sultan has said that there are approximately 400,000 healthcare workers in Pakistan of which more than 140,000 have received COVID-19 vaccine so far.
COVID-19 vaccine has so far resulted in minor side effects and any serious effects will be thoroughly and duly investigated, said Dr Faisal Sultan.
Expressing his views on Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho’s remarks regarding refusal by healthcare workers to receive COVID-19 vaccine, SAPM Dr Faisal Sultan agreed with the provincial minister and said that strict disciplinary action will be taken against such individuals.
However, SAPM noted that general public won’t be obligated to receive COVID-19 vaccine and that people will be free to decide over the matter.
Dr Faisal Sultan also revealed that government intends to vaccinate 40,000-50,000 people against COVID-19 by the end of 2021.
In addition to it, SAPM reassured of sufficient COVID-19 vaccine stock in the country and that Pakistan won’t be needing to buy vaccine doses for 4-6 weeks.
It is pertinent to know that Pakistan launched nationwide COVID-19 vaccination process on February 3rd earlier this month in order to curb the spread of novel virus in the country.
The COVID-19 vaccination drive was launched simultaneously in federal capital along with provincial capitals namely Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar.
Pakistan received 500,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses from China on February 1st earlier this month. The COVID-19 vaccine has been manufactured by a Chinese state owned company ‘Sinopharm’.
