The government of Pakistan recently revealed plans to procure abundant COVID-19 doses by the first quarter of 2021. Frontline health workers and vulnerable segments of the population will receive the vaccine in the initial phase, according to reports.
The federal cabinet approved the allocation of $150 million to acquire vaccine doses from international companies. Speaking at a presser, Special Assistant to PM on Health, Dr. Faisal Sultan, said the vaccine’s procurement, supply, storage requirements, and the initial vaccine administration phase were the highlights of the meeting.
We have shortlisted some companies who are developing the vaccine and started initial negotiations with them
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan along with the Information Minister, Senator Shibli Faraz.
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According to reports, the Economic Coordination Committee requested the federal cabinet to set up a four-member committee to oversee procurement and ensure transparency. Dr. Faisal Sultan added these vaccines will be administered to people ‘free of cost’ at different stages.
We are hopeful to purchase safe and effective vaccines from the manufacturers in the first quarter of the next year
Pakistan is expected to receive vaccine doses from the GAVI vaccine alliance for immunizing 20% of the country’s population, stated Dr. Malik Mohammad Safi from the Ministry of National Health Services.
We have signed an agreement with GAVI to get 90 million doses for 45 million people, and this is expected to be delivered in the third quarter of the next year.
GAVI is a public-private partnership that aims to provide vaccine doses to developing countries. Pakistan is amongst the 92 low-and-middle-income countries that will receive COVID-19 vaccines through GAVI’s COVAX Advance Market Commitment.
Currently, Pakistan has participated in phase 3 trials of a Chinese vaccine.
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