Senate passes resolution to provide free vaccine to all

According to details, the resolution, which was tabled by Senator Kamran Murtaza, passed by a majority of 43 votes. 31 senators voted against it.

It is was stated in the resolution that while rest of the countries in the world are providing free of cost vaccination, the commercially available jab is very expensive in Pakistan.

“This is a complete violation of Article 38 of the constitution of Pakistan which stated that provision of basic health facilities is the primary job of state,” the resolution stated.

On the other hand, the government has objected the text of resolution saying that coronavirus is an international issue and opposition should refrain from doping politics over it.

On January 25, Pakistan authorized the emergency use of Russia's Sputnik V, making it the third anti-Covid-19 vaccine after Oxford University-AstraZeneca and Chinese Sinopharm approved by the country against the deadly coronavirus.

In February, the drive kick-started with healthcare workers being administered the jab in the first phase.

On March 10, the vaccination drive for 60 above began across Pakistan. The senior citizens are being administered the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine.

On March 30, the government opened coronavirus vaccination registration for people who are 50 and above.

Sputnik V and CanSino is also commercially available in Pakistan at private hospitals of Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad.