ISLAMABAD: As the country’s largest immunisation campaign will start from Monday (today) during which more than 90 million children will be vaccinated against measles and rubella, the National Command and Operation Centre on Sunday decided to suspend Covid-19 vaccination for children aged between 12 and 15 years for two weeks.

The NCOC included 11 cities in Covid-19 excellent vaccination progress list, 17 cities in good vaccination progress and the remaining cities in low vaccination progress list.

“National MR campaign will be conducted from 15-27 November 2021 during which children aged 9 months to 15 years will be inoculated. The Covid-19 vaccine administration for children between 12-15 years will, therefore, remain suspended from 15-27 November 2021,” the NCOC tweeted.

Meanwhile, member of Scientific Task Force on Covid-19 Prof Dr Javed Akram told reporters that there was no study which suggested that Covid-19 and measles vaccines should not be given simultaneously.

“The decision has been taken because of the issue of logistics and to avoid vaccine hesitancy. As fever, pain in arm and other minor symptoms are similar in most of the vaccines, health authorities preferred not to administer two vaccines at the same time. After the vaccination around 5pc people have complained of fever, so it is an understandable step to suspend the Covid-19 vaccination for those who will be immunised against measles and rubella,” he said.

Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan said that more than 90 million children would be vaccinated against measles and rubella diseases across the country.