As cases of new Covid-19 variant JN.1 rise in many countries including India and Saudi Arabia, Pakistan has escaped the new strain so far, a report said on Monday. However, Pakistan is preparing to receive at least 500,000 doses of Pfizer’s new Covid-19 vaccine (2023-24 formula) in January 2024, especially to vaccinate pilgrims who will be travelling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj later this year, it said. Over 850,000 cases of the new Covid-19 variant have been reported between November 20 and December 17, according to the World Health Organization.