ISLAMABAD: The United States announced on Saturday it was going to send five million more doses of Pfizer vaccine to Pakistan through the COVAX facility, saying the donation would arrive on Christmas Day or shortly thereafter.

COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access, or COVAX, is a framework for the equitable distribution of coronavirus vaccines among smaller or economically vulnerable nations which is supported by the World Health Organization.

According to a statement issued by the US embassy in Islamabad, the fresh American donation of the COVID-19 vaccine would take Washington's total contribution to Pakistan's coronavirus vaccination campaign to over 37 million doses.

"Getting vaccinated is the best gift you can give your loved ones this holiday season," US Chargé d'affaires Angela P. Aggeler was quoted as saying in the statement. "Celebrate the coming new year by getting your jab."

The US purchased 500 million Pfizer doses this summer to deliver to 92 countries, including Pakistan, to fulfill President Joe Biden's commitment to provide safe and effective vaccines around the world and increase the pace of the global fight against the pandemic.

So far, it has delivered more than 300 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine worldwide.

"The United States has also provided $69.4 million in COVID-19 assistance through our partnership with the Government of Pakistan," the embassy added. "Since the start of the pandemic, the United States and Pakistan have worked together to improve infection prevention and control, enhance patient care, expand laboratory testing, disease monitoring, and case tracking in all districts, and support frontline healthcare workers."

Pakistan reported its first COVID-19 case in February 2020.

The country started its vaccination campaign earlier this year and has so far fully inoculated over 65 million people.

With the emergence of omicron variant, Pakistani officials want to increase the pace of the official vaccination drive.