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dpa
Islamabad
Pakistan on Saturday approved AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use in the country as it grapples with rising case numbers in the pandemic’s second wave.
“AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine has been given the approval for emergency use,” Health Minister Faisal Sultan told dpa.
However, the minister did not provide any details regarding the quantity, time frame and mechanism for the procurement of the vaccine.
Health workers, elderly citizens and people with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease would be first in line to receive the vaccine free of charge.
Pakistan also expects to receive free doses of Covid-19 vaccines from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations (GAVI) for 20 percent of its 220 million
residents.
Last month, Pakistan announced plans to procure the vaccine made by Sinopharm of China, but it has not yet been approved for use.
Pakistan reported its first coronavirus case on February 26. It is now among the 15 countries worst affected around the world. On January 11, Pakistan reported more than 500,000 cases of Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
On Saturday, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases rose to 516,777 and related deaths reached 10,908.
At least 2,432 new cases and 45 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, Health Ministry data showed.
Islamabad
Pakistan on Saturday approved AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use in the country as it grapples with rising case numbers in the pandemic’s second wave.
“AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine has been given the approval for emergency use,” Health Minister Faisal Sultan told dpa.
However, the minister did not provide any details regarding the quantity, time frame and mechanism for the procurement of the vaccine.
Health workers, elderly citizens and people with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease would be first in line to receive the vaccine free of charge.
Pakistan also expects to receive free doses of Covid-19 vaccines from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations (GAVI) for 20 percent of its 220 million
residents.
Last month, Pakistan announced plans to procure the vaccine made by Sinopharm of China, but it has not yet been approved for use.
Pakistan reported its first coronavirus case on February 26. It is now among the 15 countries worst affected around the world. On January 11, Pakistan reported more than 500,000 cases of Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
On Saturday, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases rose to 516,777 and related deaths reached 10,908.
At least 2,432 new cases and 45 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, Health Ministry data showed.
