NCOC directs provinces to quicken vaccination

ABDUL RASHEED AZAD

ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has directed the provincial health authorities to speed up the coronavirus vaccination activities in a bid to take preventive measures against the rising trend of the Omicron variant around the world.

The NCOC meeting held here Thursday also decided to strictly enforce the vaccination regime, advising the people that vaccination is the only way to prevent the spread of the new Covid-19 variant.

The meeting, thoroughly, discussed the city-wise Covid-19 vaccination process across the country, an NCOC statement said.

According to the statement, the Covid-19 positivity ratio, disease prevalence, number of deaths, and new admissions were also discussed in the session.

The vaccination targets for each district have been evaluated, and all-out efforts are being made to engage provinces in meeting the specified immunisation goals, the statement said.

It added that the overall number of vaccines, administration, procurement, and vaccination balance were also discussed during the meeting.

Furthermore, the current state of the oxygen generation and distribution processes throughout the country was also reviewed during the meeting.

The NCOC suggested installation of oxygen plants in various parts of country with special focus on far-flung areas, which have logistic issues.

With a special emphasis on remote places with logistical challenges, the NCOC recommended the development of oxygen plants in various locations throughout the country.

Pakistan has announced a ban on entry from six southern African countries as well as Hong Kong “due to threat” from the new Covid-19 variant Omicron.

A statement by the NCOC on Saturday, said that a ban on direct or indirect inbound travel from South Africa, Hong Kong, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, and Eswatini has been imposed, with the countries placed in Category C “with immediate effect”. District-wise vaccination targets were reviewed and all-out efforts are being made to engage provinces to achieve the set vaccination targets. The forum also discussed the total number of vaccine administration, procurement and balance of vaccine.

The NCOC stressed upon the provinces to speed up the vaccination process amid rising trend of Omicron variant across the globe as vaccination is the only way to prevent the spread of the new Covid variant.