People to get certificates on first jab

ISLAMABAD: Citizens who have received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine and are aspiring to travel abroad can now get the coronavirus vaccination certificate.

The National Command and Operations Center (NCOC) on Thursday approved issuing certificates for partial vaccination — and now the people seeking to travel out of the country can obtain them.

The certificate will be issued through National Database and Registration Authority's (Nadra) online system, while the national health ministry is authorised to make changes to the certificate as it may seem fit, the NCOC said.

Meanwhile, during a meeting of the NCOC, with Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar in the chair, the forum reviewed the implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) across the country.

“The forum expressed concerns over the downtrend on non-compliance of SOPs .... and decided to take all possible steps to ensure implementation of SOPs along with pursuing the mass vaccination campaign,” a statement said.

The NCOC, in this regard, has directed all federating units to keep a check on the growing trend of non-implementation of SOPs to mitigate the possible spread of the disease in the country.

It is pertinent to mention here that the government has ramped up the vaccination drive, but till June 2, 7.9 million people had received the jab — in a total population of 207.68 million.