ISLAMABAD – National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) chief Asad Umar announcing ‘good news’ said that Pakistan is expected to receive up to 17 million doses of the Oxfore-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine in the first half of 2021.
Taking to Twitter, the planning minister wrote, “Good news on COVID vaccine front. Received a letter from COVAX of [an] indicative supply of up to 17 million doses of AstraZeneca in 1st half 2021”.
He added that six million of the total 17 million jabs will be received by March with delivery starting in February. He did not announce any specific date.
Good news on covid vaccine front. Recieved letter from Covax of indicative supply of up to 17 million doses of AstraZeneca in 1st half 2021. About 6 million will be recieved by March with delivery starting in Feb. We signed with Covax nearly 8 months back to ensure availability
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) January 30, 2021
Umar said that Pakistan signed with COVAX – an alliance that has been set up by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi), Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and World Health Organization (WHO) in April 2020, nearly eight months back to ensure availability.
Of the 190 participating, Pakistan is among the 92 that qualify for the WHO’s COVAX initiative that ensures “rapid and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries, regardless of income level”.
Earlier this month, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) gave go-ahead for the use of the Chinese-manufactured Sinopharm, and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
This Pakistani city will be the first to have coronavirus vaccines by Feb 1
