Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan on Friday notified that students would not be permitted to attend classrooms from October 31 unless they have been partially vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Furthermore, he added that students would be required to be completely vaccinated by November 30 to attend classes during the conference in Islamabad.

SAPM highlighted the importance of vaccination for children, stating that the government had discovered that youngsters also disseminated the coronavirus, especially during the fourth wave.

“You must have seen that cases increased whenever schools were opened. In this situation, it is very important that we give special attention to vaccinating children in schools. It has been seen worldwide as well that as long as a complete segment of society is not vaccinated, the spread of the disease is not fully stopped,” he said 

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He added that this was why the government had opened up vaccination for the 12- to 18-year-old age group.

According to the SAPM, 50 million children in Pakistan are enrolled in both informal and formal education. 

The Government has decided to allow educational institutions to resume regular courses from October 11 (Monday), noting lower positive levels and the start of a school vaccination program as factors for the decision.

“We have mobile units which are vaccinating in schools. You can also go to centres to get vaccinated. I would urge you to vaccinate your children and do not hesitate,” he informed parents.

“Sometimes, children get sick or have a fever. Rarely, one or two children also faint. But all these things are expected, and if you see this in the broader perspective, if we vaccinate all our children, not only will be they protected from the disease but will also become an obstacle in its spread, the educational process will continue uninterrupted, and the society will come close to normal.” SAPM further added while addressing parents.

The SAPM mentioned while advising parents not to believe fake news and myths, “vaccines are safe and will help in stopping the spread of the disease. Our children are the future of our country, and it is very important that they are educated and skilled.”

Saturdays would be designated as special immunization days in schools and madressahs. Aside from that, immunization will be the focus of the last week of October and November.

Last month, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) agreed to begin immunizing youngsters aged 12 and above.

The NCOC also updated its Covid-19 immunization recommendations for individuals under 18, stating that the Pfizer vaccine will be provided to them.

People under the age of 18 will be required to give their B-form number to register in the National Immunization Management System, The NCOC statement mentioned.