ISLAMABAD – Pakistan gets another 300,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine as new Covid-19 variants spread in parts of world.
Chief of Centre for Disease Control (CDC) at the National Institute of Health (NIH) told media that while no country currently mandates Covid-19 vaccination for travel, Saudi Arabia might enforce it due to large gatherings during Ramadan and Hajj.
He mentioned that vaccines, provided by USAID at Pakistan’s request, are now available following February’s planned distribution, emphasising need for vaccine availability in anticipation of potential new variants.
CDC chief said despite no mandatory vaccination for travelers, efforts are made to address the issue. A sub-variant of Omicron, JN.1, emerged in the US in September 2023, later spreading globally, including to Pakistan.
Earlier this year, WHO named JN.1 as a variant of interest due to its rapid spread.
Last month, emergence of new Covid variant, JN1, raised concerns as four cases were confirmed on Sunday in Pakistan. Despite mild symptoms exhibited by the infected individuals, health authorities remain vigilant.
