Pakistan will purchase 1.2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from China’s Sinopharm after China approved the vaccine for general use on the population.
The special cabinet committee has given the approval of the formation of a committee for the purchase of 1.2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from China’s state-owned Sinopharm.
The Cabinet committee, comprising Fawad Chaudhry, the Minister of Science and Technology, Hammad Azhar, the minister of industry, and members had the second meeting with Asad Umar the minister of Planning, Dr. Sania Nishtar and Dr. Faisal Sultan also attended the meeting.
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The situation of the availability of corona vaccine in the world was thoroughly analyzed and discussed during the session. Keeping in view the available options, the data of a Chinese company was presented before this special meeting.
The Committee approved the booking of Coronavirus vaccine for Pakistan from the Chinese company, Sinopharm based on the available facts and figures. The decision had been taken after the approval of the Drug Regulatory Authority approval.
After the final approval and purchase, all the front line workers will be vaccinated free of cost on priority during the first quarter of the coming year.
In the meeting, it was also decided that based on data, available about the other Covid vaccine manufacturers, the decision for further purchase of the same will be done. It has been decided that the rules and regulations for the use of the vaccine in coordination with DRAP by the private sector may also be formed.
Asad Umar said in a tweet that a meeting regarding the purchase of coronavirus vaccine was held in which it was decided that as and when the expert committee of the Drug Regulatory Authority approves, the order for the purchase of 10 lac vaccine doses would be placed. The whole of this quantity will be for the front line workers.
It has been targeted to get the vaccine during the first quarter of next year. The decision of the government to the vaccine to the health workers first seems highly justified as more than 150 doctors and many nursing staff have passed away while busy in their noble job of saving the lives of corona patients.
There are a lot of companies at the world level, busy in developing the corona vaccines but the price of some are very high. If the Sinopharm vaccine of this Chinese company is found effective and its price too is affordable then Pakistan will place further order for it.
