The government decided on Monday to administer Covid-19 vaccine to elderly people aged 80 and above at their homes after the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) approved the recommendation.

According to official sources privy to details, the government decision came after the NCOC huddle gave a go-ahead to recommendations put forward at the meeting and thus directed all provinces to begin vaccination at home drive for the elderly who cannot wait at designated centres. The local health authorities will be responsible for facilitating the vaccine at home drive, sources said. People will have to contact local officials to get their elderly loved ones registered for vaccination.

The NCOC decision is meant to encourage the elderly to take the jabs readily without any hassle. Around one million people have already been vaccinated against the global pandemic in Pakistan. According to the data shared by the NCOC, 936,383 people have so far been vaccinated in the country. “In the past week, 265,831 people received the anti-COVID jabs,” the command centre said, adding that elderly people above 65 could avail the walk-in facility.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Faisal Sultan on Monday briefed World Health Organisation (WHO) Pakistan head Dr Palitha Gunarathna Mahipala about availability of COVID vaccination in the country.