ISLAMABAD: Only 180,000, or 2.25 percent, of around eight million senior citizens in Pakistan had registered to get vaccinated against the coronavirus two weeks after the government launched a registration drive, Pakistani media reported on Friday.
Pakistan launched its COVID-19 vaccine drive earlier this month, saying it would inoculate health care workers in the first phase, followed by the elderly in March.
The government started registering senior citizens for the vaccination program on Feb 15.
“The Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) has described it as a slow response, considering that there are around eight million people above 65 years of age in Pakistan,” Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reported, saying only 180,000 people above the age of 60 had registered.
“We urge people that they should register themselves so that they would be inoculated as soon as vaccine would reach at the Adult Vaccination Centers in Pakistan,” Dawn wrote, quoting a health ministry official.
Around 500,000 doses of vaccine produced by Sinopharm and donated by China had arrived in Pakistan on a military flight on February 1, allowing authorities to kickstart a nationwide inoculation campaign starting with health workers.
Pakistan has also been pledged 17 million doses of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine under a global scheme to deliver coronavirus treatments to developing nations.
About 6 million doses will arrive by the end of March under the COVAX scheme, with the remainder due by mid-year, the health chief has said.
Only 2.25% of Pakistani senior citizens register for COVID-19 vaccine — report
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Only 2.25% of Pakistani senior citizens register for COVID-19 vaccine — report
- 180,000 of around eight million senior citizens have responded to government calls to register for vaccination program
- Government started registering senior citizens on Feb 15, “not a very positive response,” health ministry says
Pakistan warns of heavy rain, snowfall and landslide risks in northern districts from today
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa says snowfall can make roads slippery in tourist resorts like Naran, Kaghan and Kalam
- Provincial authorities warn tourists and travelers to avoid unnecessary movement during the weather spell
PESHAWAR: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa warned Friday heavy rains and snowfall expected from today through Dec. 15 could trigger landslides, road closures and hazardous travel conditions across the northern districts.
The alert follows forecasts of widespread precipitation in the province’s mountainous regions, where steep slopes and winter road conditions routinely heighten the risk of disruption.
Dense fog is also expected in the plains, including Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera and Swabi, potentially affecting visibility and slowing motorway traffic.
“The Provincial Disaster Management Authority has issued alerts to all relevant departments to take advance precautionary measures,” the agency said.
It warned that snowfall could make roads slippery in areas such as Naran, Kaghan, Kalam and Jabba, while heavy rain and snow “may increase the risk of landsliding.”
Residents living close to rivers, streams and seasonal water channels were advised to remain vigilant.
Rain and snowfall are also forecast in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Galyat, Haripur, Buner, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram and North and South Waziristan.
Tourists and travelers were urged to avoid unnecessary movement during the weather spell. Daytime temperatures are expected to fall sharply as the cold system intensifies.
Local administrations have also been instructed to keep drainage systems active ahead of the expected rainfall.
Pakistan has faced a series of extreme-weather emergencies in recent years — from devastating floods in 2022 to recurring droughts and record heatwaves — despite contributing less than one percent to global carbon emissions.
Officials say climate volatility has made mountainous regions more prone to landslides and flash floods, highlighting the importance of early warnings and local preparedness.
