It’s Cansino NOT Casino and its a Vaccine: indigenous Production of Vaccine by Month End; Minister

The first batch of the Cansino vaccine being processed locally at the National Institute of Health (NIH) would be available for use by the end of May, said Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Friday.

He further urged people to adhere to simplicity and caution while spending the last days of Ramazan. As per the last update, 140 deaths and 4,298 new Covid-19 cases were reported in a single day.

“The first batch of bulk cansino vaccine being processed at the national Institute of health plant set up for this purpose last month. Specially trained team working on it. Will inshallah be available for use by end of May after going thru rigorous quality control checks.”

Asad Umar said in a Tweet.

In another tweet, he said due to timely decisions, the country was spared the kind of situation being witnessed in the neighbouring country. He, however, said the nation had to spend this critical time with caution.

Health authorities have warned that the next few days were critical, calling on people to observe the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent the spread of the virus.

During the last 24 hours, Punjab reported 1,995 new patients and 82 deaths. The total number of cases since the virus was first reported in the province has risen to 314,517 while the death toll has reached 8,891. Balochistan recorded 116 new cases during the last 24 hours, taking the provincial tally to 23,016. According to officials, with the new fatalities, the number of casualties has surged to 243. As many as 21,361 patients have also recovered from the virus in the province.

Earlier, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan had warned people of a “very risky period ahead” as Ramazan drew to an end and the days of Eidul Fitr holidays approached.

The prime minister’s aide acknowledged there were “initial signs of some stability” during the coronavirus pandemic but cautioned people against taking the infection lightly.

“We are today in the midst of the third wave and while there may be very initial signs of some stability (in the third wave), these are very early days and this is a very risky period for us as the holy month of Ramazan is going to end and Eid is approaching.”

He said at a webinar.

The webinar, titled ‘SOPs and vaccination: Solution for the Covid-19 Pandemic’ was attended by microbiologists, molecular biologists, medical professionals and students from the country as well as abroad.