ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Thursday it expects to receive 2.8 million doses of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine on March 2, its first batch under the GAVI/WHO COVAX vaccine initiative, and will start giving doses to the over 60s.
Pakistan, which has recorded more than 550,000 cases of COVID-19 and more than 12,000 deaths, is still largely reliant on the GAVI/WHO COVAX initiative, which aims to supply COVID-19 vaccines to poorer nations. The country began its COVID-19 vaccination program only this month, with 500,000 doses of Sinopharm's vaccine donated by long-time ally China.
Frontline health workers are being vaccinated first.
"I can confirm according to the information we've been given that we will receive 2.8 million doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine as part of the COVAX," health minister Faisal Sultan told a news conference.
He said the vaccine will be used to start a public vaccination program for people above the age of 60.
Pakistan is also one of the first countries that plans to allow the private sector to conduct vaccinations and its drug regulator issued guidelines on Thursday for private companies to set up centers to administer COVID-19 vaccines.
The private sector has an integral role in terms of ensuring safe and secure COVID-19 vaccinations in addition to the public sector, the drug regulator said in a notice announcing the guidelines.
"The standard operating procedures (SOPs) are being developed for AVCs (Adult Vaccination Counters) in order to ensure (a) smooth vaccination process," it said.
Last week Pakistan allowed the commercial import and sale of vaccines without price caps, in contrast to most countries, which are importing and administering vaccines through government channels.
The guidelines say private firms will be responsible for identifying and enlisting prioritized people for vaccination, monitoring, surveillance, management, communications and cold-chain management.
The firms will ensure training of nurses and skilled staff in vaccine administration, infection prevention and control, and use of recording and reporting tools on prescribed formats.
The centers will share daily reports with government health management teams.
Pakistan to receive 2.8 mln doses of AstraZeneca vaccine under COVAX scheme on March 2
https://arab.news/g5z72
Pakistan to receive 2.8 mln doses of AstraZeneca vaccine under COVAX scheme on March 2
- In contrast to most countries, Pakistan recently allowed the commercial import and sale of vaccines without price caps
- The country began its COVID-19 vaccination program this month, with 500,000 doses of Sinopharm's vaccine donated by China
Pakistan backs Bahrain, calls for de-escalation as Iran war continues
- Dar speaks with Bahrain’s foreign minister, conveys concern over recent attacks in the Gulf
- Both officials call for regional peace a day after Bahrain’s oil exporter declared force majeure
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan called for dialogue and de-escalation to resolve the ongoing Iran war, an official statement said on Tuesday, expressing concern over its continuing spillover into neighboring Arab states following Tehran’s attacks in the Gulf region.
Tensions in the Gulf have surged since coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran on Feb. 28, diminishing prospects of a diplomatic settlement to Tehran’s long-running dispute with Western countries and Israel over its nuclear program.
Iran subsequently said it was targeting American military bases in Gulf states including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan, prompting condemnations from those governments, which said several strikes had hit civilian infrastructure.
Pakistan condemned both the initial strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks across the region, urging all sides to halt hostilities.
“Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 spoke late last night with Bahrain’s Foreign Minister H. E. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani,” Pakistan’s foreign office said in a social media post. “They exchanged views on the developments in the Middle East and the wider region, conveying grave concern over recent attacks, including in Bahrain.”
“DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Bahrain and its people, highlighting the need for de-escalation, dialogue, and efforts for peace and stability in the region,” it added.
The Iran war has disrupted regional energy infrastructure and oil trade.
Bahrain’s state oil company Bapco declared force majeure on its group operations on Friday following an attack on its refinery complex.
Bapco is a major exporter of fuels including diesel, jet fuel and naphtha to markets across the Middle East and Asia.
On Tuesday, Iran launched fresh attacks in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain.
Saudi Arabia also said it had destroyed two drones over its oil-rich eastern region and Kuwait’s National Guard said it had shot down six drones.
Dar told Pakistan’s Senate earlier this month that the government was actively striving to defuse tensions in the region. He has also remained in touch with top officials in both Iran and Arab countries.
