Last update: September 3rd, 2021.
Pakistan has issued a vaccination mandate for several public workers including teachers, restaurant staff, and transportation workers.
The country is in the midst of a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections. However, Pakistan’s constantly hitting new vaccination milestones, with almost one million doses being administered each day.
Pakistan’s COVID passport app has also been officially available since mid-August making it even easier to present a vaccination certificate.
How does Pakistan’s COVID passport work?
The National Command Operational Center (NCOC) along with National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) created the PAK COVID-19 Vaccination Pass app.
The PAK COVID-19 pass app acts as a digital COVID passport where vaccinated individuals can store and display their vaccination certificates.
After vaccination, the certificate can be obtained from nims.nadra.gov.pk at a fee of Rs100 (approximately USD 0.60).
The PAK COVID-19 Vaccination Pass app is available on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. It’s accessible to both Pakistani nationals and foreign residents.
Even Pakistanis who were vaccinated abroad can now register with the NCOC to receive the certificate.
From September 10th, these passports with a unique QR code will be mandatory for boarding flights. From October 1st, it will become mandatory for trains as well.
Who needs to be vaccinated in Pakistan?
All citizens over 18 years old are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination in Pakistan via a simple registration process.
NCOC head Asad Umar announced that all school personnel need to show proof of vaccination from August 1st.
Pakistan residents working in malls, restaurants, public transport, and public-sector offices have also had to prove full vaccination since the end of August.
Umar explained the decision, saying: “We can’t put our children’s lives at risk just because you’re not ready to get the vaccine.”
Current COVID-19 health situation in Pakistan
Pakistan reached its peak infection rate early on in the pandemic, hitting its fourth wave in July 2021.
By the start of September, Pakistan had recorded more than 1,600,000 positive cases and almost 26,000 deaths.
The country started vaccinations off at a slow pace but has since reached the goal of administering at least 1 million shots per day.
Thanks to vaccine diplomacy with Russia and China, Pakistan was able to secure a vaccine supply. The US and the UK joined the vaccine donation after being accused of vaccine hoarding.
Many Pakistanis are hoping for travel-approved vaccines to regain freedom of movement, especially to Saudi Arabia.
By the end of August, the vaccination campaign had allowed 7.5% of Pakistan’s population to be fully vaccinated.