Islamabad: Government will start Covid-19 vaccination drive for those aged 50 to 59 from April 21.

The announcement was made by Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar amid surge in coronavirus cases in the country.

Taking to twitter, Asad Umar share that the decision to start vaccinating people above 50 was taken in the meeting of National Command and Operations Center (NCOC).

“Would once again encourage everyone to register for the vaccination,” the minister added.

Decision taken in today's NCOC meeting to start vaccination of people in the age group of 50 to 59 from Wednesday the 21st of april. Would once again encourage everyone to register for the vaccination

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) April 17, 2021

Pakistan is presently experiencing the third wave of the coronavirus, which is said to be deadlier and more contagious than previous two waves.

According to National Command and Operations Center (NCOC), around 54,967 cases of coronavirus were reported while 112 people succumbed to the disease in the last 24 hours, taking the total death toll to 16,094.

The total number of confirmed cases reached to 750,158.

As many as 654,956 patients have recovered from the disease with 4,149 critical cases.

In February, the coronavirus 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.