PESHAWAR: The mortalities and infections due to coronavirus continued to decline in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as Drive-Through Covid-19 Mass Vaccination Centre became operational in Khyber Medical University to speed up inoculation process in the province.

However, in Peshawar coronavirus infectivity remained above five per cent. All other high-risk districts were recording less positivity, officials said. They added that vaccination of people above 12 years was also started throughout the province.

They said that people in above 12-year age group did not need to send messages for vaccination but could directly receive shots at the vaccination centres working in all districts. A system was being developed after which they would be issued vaccination certificates, they added.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for provincial government, Kamran Bangash inaugurated Drive-Through Covid-19 Mass Vaccination Centre at KMU and appreciated the varsity’s administration for playing active role in providing knowledge and research as well as medical services to society.

Drive-through mass vaccination centre opens at KMU

Dr Palitha Mahi Pala, the country director of World Health Organisation; Prof Ziaul Haq, the vice-chancellor of KMU; Prof Mohammad Saleem Gandapur, the registrar of KMU; Dr Khalid Rehman, the coordinator of vaccination centre; and Dr Yasir Yousafzai, the director of Public Health Reference Laboratory, were also present on the occasion.

Mr Bangash said that it was a testament to the vision and leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief Minister Mahmood Khan that according to World Health Organisation, Pakistan was amongst one of the seven countries with the lowest number of casualties in the first, second, third and fourth wave of coronavirus.

As a result of more than 50 per cent vaccination in most of the districts of the province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa overtook the rest of the provinces of the country due to which the death rate from coronavirus was steadily declining, he said.

He said that a task force was set up with chief secretary as its chairman to take practical steps for prevention of dengue.

Under the third point, construction and development of drainage and streets in dengue-affected areas would be completed on an emergency basis, he added.

Addressing the event, Dr Palitha Mahipala said that Pakistan was one of the seven countries where coronavirus caused the least number of casualties due to adherence to WHO guidelines.

He said that one million people were being vaccinated daily in the country which was a testament to the success of the vaccination campaign.

He added that it was expected that Pakistan would soon be included in the list of the countries safe from coronavirus.

Dr Palitha said that the joint action by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and KMU against coronavirus yielded excellent results. He said that he was personally impressed by the efforts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, health department and KMU in dealing with the pandemic.

It is worth mentioning that an average of 3,000 to 4,000 people are vaccinated daily at mass vaccination centre in KMU where separate booths have been set up for men, women and the disabled and elderly people.

The creation of five new drive-through booths will increase the total number of vaccinations.

The disabled and senior citizens will be vaccinated inside their vehicles. It will not only save time but will also keep the elderly people from the hassle of getting out of cars.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2021