Karachi: The Sindh government on Monday took back its decision to inoculate students against the coronavirus at all private and public sector schools and colleges, reported Aaj News.

The provincial government said that only students aged 17 and above will get vaccinated after permission from their parents. It added that administrations must take the consent of parents for vaccinating children at educational institutions.

On August 30, a session jointly chaired by the provincial health and education ministers had decided to vaccinate students from classes 9 to 12 from September 6 (today). The meeting decided that as many as 1.42 million students from grades 9 to 12 will be given the jabs. Around 2,527 teams will participate in the vaccination drive, a handout from the health ministry had said.

Last month, the provincial government decided to open public and private educational institutions under the administrative control of the School Education and Literacy Department from August 30.

The schools have been operating six days a week with 50% attendance of students on alternative days.

Sindh govt to vaccinate students of grades 9 to 12 from Sep 6

Moreover, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has made it mandatory for students aged over 17 to be vaccinated with at least one dose by September 15 and be fully vaccinated by October 15. They will not be allowed to enter educational institutions after the deadline, the NCOC warned.

The forum also said that from September 30 only fully vaccinated people will be able to continue their transport businesses that cater to students.