ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Caretaker Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan stated that the country remains free from the new Covid-19 variant, JN.1 Omicron, but stressed a heightened state of readiness, stating "we are on red alert."
The minister's announcement follows the federal government's decision to acquire 500,000 doses of the Pfizer Covid vaccine from the US in response to the potential resurgence of the new variant globally.
The procurement, recommended by the Emergency Operation Centre’s technical advisory group, is in anticipation of the emerging threat posed by the JN.1 variant. Approximately 200,000 vaccine doses are expected to arrive in the coming week, with the remaining doses to follow in subsequent phases.
Referred to as a sub-variant of the Omicron lineage, the JN.1 variant is acknowledged to be more transmissible than other circulating variants.
Also read: New coronavirus variant JN1 detected
Despite health experts deeming it less severe, concerns persist about potential complications for high-risk populations, particularly the elderly with compromised immunity.
Addressing the Senate, the health minister stressed Pakistan's watchful monitoring of the new variant, maintaining a government-wide "red alert" status. He highlighted ongoing efforts to implement widespread lab testing systems across different districts and issued three advisories on the matter, intending to involve the Pakistan Electronic Media and Regulatory Authority in dissemination.
Also, the National Institute of Health Sciences Islamabad issued an advisory to provinces detailing the JN.1 variant's classification as a Variant of Interest by the World Health Organisation.
The advisory emphasises genetic changes impacting transmissibility, disease severity.