ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has adopted a policy of “zero tolerance” and announced a new vaccination plan to tackle the omicron menace, under which immunocompromised people, healthcare workers and people over the age of 50 will be given booster shots.
The National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) held a meeting today to discuss pandemic curve chart data, national vaccine strategy and spread of the disease across the country.
The NCOC session was chaired by Federal Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Minister Asad Umar and co-chaired by National Coordinator Major General Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, while SAPM Dr Faisal Sultan and provincial health ministers and chief secretaries attended the meeting virtually.
The Forum was briefed on the COVID-19 positivity ratio, disease prevalence, number of deaths and new admissions and the overall city-wise COVID-19 vaccination process was discussed in detail.
To counter the emerging omicron threat, the NCOC approved booster dose administration for three categories, including healthcare workers, people over the age of 50, and immunocompromised people.
The dose will be free and can be given six months after the last dose of vaccine.
It was also emphasized that the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly around the world and the only protection against it is vaccination and that basic SOPs, including wearing of face masks, social distancing and hand washing, must be ensured.
NCOC agreed to take strict steps regarding compulsory immunization regime. It was decided to deploy vaccination teams at various public places so that people could be vaccinated on the spot.
The country’s top Kovid-19 organization has decided that a special campaign will be launched from December 1 to implement the mandatory system.
The Forum directed the provinces and relevant authorities to show a “zero tolerance” policy regarding compulsory vaccination regimes.
Call centers have been set up to reach out to those who have not received the second dose. A total of 40 call centers have been set up across the country, while these numbers will also be increased to ensure the second dose of the vaccine.
The NCOC was also briefed about the initiatives taken by the Provincial Health Ministers and Chief Secretaries to boost the vaccination campaign, improve testing numbers and set up call centres.
It was decided that all provinces would immediately launch vaccination campaigns to achieve the vaccination targets.
Provincial representatives also stressed the need to focus on the new form of coronavirus and suggested taking necessary measures to check the vaccination status and testing of migrants at airports.