- Home
- Pakistan
- News
- Country expected to start procurement of COVID-19 vaccine by February, says Dr. Faisal Sultan
Country Expected To Start Procurement Of COVID-19 Vaccine By February, Says Dr. Faisal Sultan
Muhammad Irfan Published January 15, 2021 | 08:43 PM
Country is expected to start procurement of COVID-19 vaccine within first quarter of 2021 - possibly sometime in February, said Dr. Faisal Sultan, the Special Assistant to the PM on health
KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Jan, 2021 ) :Country is expected to start procurement of COVID-19 vaccine within first quarter of 2021 - possibly sometime in February, said Dr. Faisal Sultan, the Special Assistant to the PM on health.
Sharing details of the process, he told APP on Friday that along with bilateral arrangements to get it directly from the manufacturers, COVAX facility through GAVI is also there.
Import of these by private companies was said to have been allowed to those who can afford the same.
To a query, he said first quarter of 2021 has been set as the targeted time frame to help arrange the first batch of the vaccine for the country with the objective aimed at protecting people most vulnerable to the viral infection.
"Chances are that availability will be there from February," said the SAPM on health.
Answering a question, he said there is little possibility to have the first batch in next two weeks time, but efforts are fast underway for earliest availability.
Dispelling the impression about any preferences, Dr.
Faisal Sultan said top priority is availability, efficacy (with no or negligible side effects) and supply capacities of the companies.
He said six to eight companies identified by a committee of experts have been contacted.
"Several months ago we had set-up a Committee of Experts to help identify best of the vaccine manufacturers," said SAPM on Health.
He reminded that countries with strongest of the economies had placed orders worth of billions of Dollars for vaccines that were still in trial phase, with little care towards the result.
This was not possible for the developing countries, however, we within our available resources are in process to have the best at the earliest possible time To another query, Dr. Faisal Sultan said country to meet the time frame would go for the "availability" option and these could be Chinese as well as Western vaccines.
He also mentioned that Pakistan along with other countries is also part of an ongoing trial program of a Chinese company with all possibilities of success and thus early accessibility.
Recent Stories
Saudi FM’s visit positive, constructive one: FO
Hania enjoys vacations in London
IMF Officials assure support to Pakistan’s economy
Naqvi directs foolproof measures for protection of Chinese nationals
Israel carries out attack inside Iran, report US media
Saudi Assistant Minister of Defence calls on army chief
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 19 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 19 April 2024
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
At UN, Iran says it will make Israel 'regret' reprisals
G7 hears calls for 'critical' Ukraine aid
EU seeks to leverage might to confront China, US challenge
More Stories From Pakistan
-
Saudi FM’s visit positive, constructive one: FO
1 minute ago -
Electioneering to end tonight ahead of by-election in 21 constituencies
2 minutes ago -
Minister Amir Muqam stresses optimal use of J&K state properties
2 minutes ago -
Meeting held to review security arrangements for NA-44 by-polls
12 minutes ago -
Sale of roti, naan on fixed rates ensured in Bahawalpur district
12 minutes ago -
British army chief lauds Pakistan Army's professionalism, expertise
12 minutes ago
-
Kashmiri leader calls on UN to prioritize resolution of decades-old conflict
22 minutes ago -
DC opens water filtration plants rehabilitation project
22 minutes ago -
VC-SAU distributes scholarship cheques among students of flood-affected areas
22 minutes ago -
Dry, cloudy weather forecast in Sukkur
22 minutes ago -
ANP announces schedule of intra-party elections
32 minutes ago -
Provincial policy dialogue on curbing trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants held
32 minutes ago