ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal pandemic response body, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), said on Monday 48 percent of the Pakistani population eligible to get a coronavirus vaccine had been fully vaccinated since the country launched its inoculation drive in February 2020.

NCOC head and planning minister Asad Umar shared the figures at a prize distribution ceremony for provincial and district teams that had achieved vaccination targets.

Pakistan reported over 1,600 cases of the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, with three deaths. Cases have been on a steady rise and reached three-month highs as officials have said the omicron variant is spreading in Pakistan at a “great pace.”

“During the ceremony it was briefed that 48 percent of the eligible population stands fully vaccinated,” the NCOC said in a statement. “Till 31 December 2021, the vaccination of 71.5 million individuals has been completed. Only in December 2021, the vaccination of around 21.5 million people has been ensured and the credit goes to the provinces.”

Speaking at the ceremony, Umar advised people to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and asked those not vaccinated so far to do so at the earliest.

“Persons who were fully vaccinated six months ago and they are over 30 years of age, should go for booster dose,” the minister said.

The first case of the omicron variant was reported on December 13 in Karachi, and the federal government has acknowledged that a fifth pandemic has started in the country, with Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad seeing most of the cases.

The government has not yet announced new restrictions but has urged people to follow precautionary measures.

The government has authorized booster doses for citizens over the age of 30 from Monday. Children over the age of 12 are being offered vaccinations at their schools.