Use of Astrazeneca restricted to people under 40s

ISLAMABAD: Reviewing the national guidelines for the use of Astrazeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine AZD1222, the federal health authorities has said that its administration would be restricted to less than 40 years irrespective of gender till availability of further data.

“n the recommendations of an expert commitee, we have updated the interim guidelines for the use of Astrazeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine AZD1222. There are two key changes: Use for less than 40 years be restricted and interval between doses fixed 12 weeks instead of range of 8-12 weeks,” Director General, Health, Dr Rana Muhammad Safdar said.

He said that these changes will lead to operational ease and added that guidelines remain interim as new data from around the world keeps pouring. He said international guidelines regarding the use of vaccines were rapidly changing on the basis of new data and research, so if they felt any need, guidelines for Astrazeneca’s use would be reviewed again.

“All decisions are evidence-based to optimally ensure the safety and efficacy of all vaccines authorized for use in Pakistan. Additionally, an efficient system is in place for adverse event surveillance in accordance with the global guidelines. It is heartening that all events reported so far are of minor nature and fully recovered,” Dr Safdar added.

To a query regarding changing recommendations on the use of Astrazeneca’s vaccine, he said: “We have alternate vaccines, so have taken blanket decision. All under 40 will get other available shots.”

Ater a continuous rise in coronavirus cases, Pakistan has registered a gradual decline in new Covid-related deaths and new infections.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) data, 3,447 new infections emerged when 37,756 samples were tested during the same period. The positivity rate of new cases was recorded at 9.12%, the NCOC said.

The countrywide tally of confirmed cases climbed to 861,473 with the addition of 3,447 new cases. Thus far, 753,712 patients have recuperated from the disease.

The number of COVID-19 patients in critical care across the country stands at 4,903. A total of 1,256,823 tests have been conducted so far in Pakistan since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Punjab also witnessed a significant drop in new cases of COVID-19 ater the government imposed a set of restrictions to contain the third wave of the virus.

According to the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, a total of 1,393 new infections were reported across the province over the last 24 hours. Whereas, 26 people succumbed to the disease.