Pakistan in talks with China_ Russia to get vaccines
Pakistani health authorities are negotiating with China and Russia_ among others_ to procure coronavirus vaccines_ an official said on Monday. We are in talks with China_ Russia and some other countries for procurement of the [COVID-19] vaccine after narrowing down our priority list_ Faisal Sultan_ special assistant to the prime minister on health_ told. The vaccine_ he said_ would be available in Pakistan sometime between January and March next year_ and administered to health workers and senior citizens in the first phase. There is nothing final yet; however_ I can tell you that we have to rely on more than one source_ the adviser said. We will procure the vaccine only after its efficacy and safety is proven." While Russia has started the distribution of its Sputnik V COVID-19 shot nationwide_ China is testing its vaccines in many countries_ and supply deals are being signed. Other vaccines seeking emergency use authorization are produced by Pfizer-BioNTech_ Moderna and Oxford-AstraZeneca. Islamabad has already earmarked an initial sum of $150 million to purchases the doses. Last week_ Nausheen Hamid_ Pakistan s parliamentary secretary for health_ said all citizens would be administered COVID-19 vaccines free of charge_ and the drive will begin in the second quarter of 2021. Pakistan has witnessed a spike in COVID-19 cases and deaths in recent weeks. The South Asian country recorded 3_795 new infections on Monday_ the highest single-day tally since July 3. The total caseload in the country of 220 million people has reached 420_294_ including 8_398 related deaths. Pakistan has tested about 5.8 million people for the virus to date. Some patients being treated for the novel virus are said to have died of oxygen shortage at a government hospital in the city of Peshawar on Dec. 5. The provincial health minister has ordered an inquiry into the incident. -Anadolu Agency
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