Pakistan to receive 45m doses of Covid vaccine from India as part of global alliance
Until now, rival nation Pakistan was not the recipient of India’s vaccine outreach initiative
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Pakistan will receive 45 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine manufactured by India through the United Nations-backed Covax initiative.
Pakistan would receive its first batch of AstraZeneca jabs, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India under the name Covishield, by mid-March and the rest of it by June, the National Health Service (NHS) Secretary Amir Ashraf Khawaja said on Thursday.
Pakistan has reportedly approved four vaccine candidates, including two from China. The vaccines that have been approved are Sinophram (China), Oxford-AstraZeneca (UK), Sputnik-V (Russia) and Cansino Bio (China).
The country is mostly relying on free vaccine doses sent by China and the Covax initiative which aims to support several low and middle-income countries by providing free vaccines, to immunise at least 70 per cent of its 220 million population.
The shipment would not be sent directly from India. Pakistan would receive the consignment through the Covax initiative of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi).
India, which makes 60 per cent of the global vaccines, has been actively supplying Covid vaccines to its neighbours, in what is being described as “vaccine diplomacy” and prime minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to vaccine equity.
As many as 65 countries have received the doses under three categories: grant (free of cost), commercial sales and under Covax.
However, neighbouring countries and arch-rival Pakistan and China were not the recipients amid fraught relations. Indian foreign ministry replied to the questions over it by saying that they have not received any “request for the supply of Indian made vaccines to Pakistan”.
China has already sent 500,000 doses of the vaccine to Pakistan and another consignment would be sent soon, reported Dawn.
Pakistan has vaccinated 27.5million people till now, including frontline workers and senior citizens, Mr Khawaja told reporters.
Out of total of 45 million doses, 16 million doses of India-made AstraZeneca would be received by Pakistan till June this year, enough to inoculate 20 per cent of the population.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments