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Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning and Development and chief of National Command and Operation Committee, Asad Umar Saturday said that COVAX has indicated supply of 17 million doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for Pakistan. Six million of the total 17 million doses will be received by March, with delivery starting in February
The efficacy of the British firm’s vaccine was shown by interim data to be 70.4%
“Good news on COVID vaccine front. Received a letter from COVAX of [an] indicative supply of up to 17 million doses of AstraZeneca in 1st half 2021,” Umar wrote on Twitter.
According to the planning minister, six million of the total 17 million doses will be received by March with delivery starting in February. He did not specify any dates.
“We signed with COVAX nearly eight months back to ensure availability,” he added.
Of the 190 participating economies, Pakistan is among the 92 that qualify for the World Health Organization’s (WHO) COVAX initiative that ensures “rapid and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries, regardless of income level”.
Good news on covid vaccine front. Recieved letter from Covax of indicative supply of up to 17 million doses of AstraZeneca in 1st half 2021. About 6 million will be recieved by March with delivery starting in Feb. We signed with Covax nearly 8 months back to ensure availability
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) January 30, 2021
Earlier this month, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) gave authorisation for both — the Chinese-manufactured Sinopharm, and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is made from a weakened version of a common cold virus, known as adenovirus, from chimpanzees, and has been modified to look more like the coronavirus — although it cannot cause the illness.
When the vaccine is injected into a human body, it prompts the immune system to make antibodies and trains it to attack any coronavirus infection. Interim data showed that the vaccine’s efficacy in preventing symptomatic infections was 70.4%.
The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is more suitable for developing countries as it can be stored in a normal fridge for six months, making it much easier to distribute. It is also cheaper to make.
The vaccine was first approved for emergency use by the United Kingdom government.
