ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government on Saturday announced free booster shots of coronavirus vaccines for people seeking to travel out of the country, local media reported. 

Pakistan is currently battling a fifth wave of coronavirus infections, with the fresh surge in cases driven by the highly transmissible omicron strain of the virus.   

On Friday, the country reported over 7,600 cases of coronavirus, its highest since the pandemic began in Pakistan. Today, over 6,500 people tested positive for the virus, while over 1,000 patients were shifted to critical care. 

The government has decided to abolish booster shot fee for passengers, Geo News reported, citing a notification issued by the Pakistani health ministry. 

"People who are going abroad will get free booster jabs by showing their travel documents at vaccination centres," the report quoted the health ministry as saying.  

Previously, Rs1,250 were being charged for a booster shot from those travelling abroad. 

"International travelers, 12 years of age and above with mandatory requirement of specific vaccine can get additional dose(s)," reads a message on the website of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), which oversees the country's pandemic response.  

"These will be administered at individual’s risk. In case of children below 18 years of age, at parent’s / guardian’s risk." 

Booster doses were already being administered to the general public free of cost. On January 14, the NCOC had announced all citizens above 18 years could get the coronavirus vaccine's booster jabs. 

The dose was being administered to people six months after they were fully vaccinated.  

Pakistan has so far administered at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine to 102,975,552 people, according to official figures. 

Over 78 million have been fully vaccinated in the country.