THE Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination recently announced that the government had allowed the private sector to purchase the coronavirus vaccine for those who can pay through the nose.

In general, this will turn out to be a wrong decision for the public. Everyone would like to get vaccinated as soon the vaccine is made available regardless of the cost. People will be compelled to buy at whatever price the vendors quote. It will start selling in the black market at an exorbitant price by the hoarders.

Since most countries are ensuring that the vaccine is administered free of cost to their citizens regardless of affordability issues, it is, therefore, expected that the government will provide it without charges here as well. Or else it should fix the price of the dose and strictly ensure availability to the entire population.

M. Khalid Kamal
Islamabad

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WHILE the world bodies and our government continue to advise people to follow Covid-19 SOPs, it was unfortunate that the prime minister, while delivering a speech in Turbat recently, opted to take off his own mask. The head of the government has to lead by example.

Raziq Muhmmad Jan
Kech

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2020