ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities have received another Chinese donation of 500,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine, bringing the country’s total supply to 1 million shots, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan said on Wednesday.
On a social media website Twitter Dr Faisal said, “The next batch of Sinopharm vaccine was received today. These 500,000 doses will ensure a smooth continuation of our vaccination drive, currently underway for senior citizens.”
“We’re grateful to China for their support. This gesture is a testament to our long-standing friendship,” Dr Faisal Sultan added.
The next batch of Sinopharm vaccine was received today. These 500,000 doses will ensure smooth continuation of our vaccination drive, currently underway for senior citizens. We're grateful to China for their support. This gesture is a testament to our long-standing friendship pic.twitter.com/fbS3kfmFQc
— Faisal Sultan (@fslsltn) March 17, 2021
Sinopharm, the only vaccine currently available in the country, requires two doses. The percentage of COVID tests coming back positive across the country has touched 6.26% and crossed 11% in Punjab, the largest province.
Pakistan has recorded 612,315 coronavirus cases and 13,656 deaths, with 2,351 infections and 61 deaths reported in the last 24 hours.
The country has not secured any vaccine from drug manufacturers and is depending on the GAVI/WHO COVAX initiative for poorer nations and the donations. Pakistan is expecting to get GAVI’s first batch of 2.8 million doses of AstraZeneca sometime later this month, officials said.
Besides Sinopharm and AstraZeneca, Pakistan has approved Russia’s Sputnik and China’s CanSino Biologics Inc’s (CanSinoBIO) vaccines for emergency use.
CanSinoBIO has released interim efficacy results from a multi-country trial, which included Pakistan, showing 65.7% efficacy in preventing symptomatic coronavirus cases and a 90.98% success rate in stopping severe infections.
In the Pakistani subset, the efficacy of the CanSinoBIO vaccine at preventing symptomatic cases was 74.8% and 100% at preventing severe disease.
Authorities last week reversed a decision to allow large indoor gatherings like cinemas, theatres and marriage halls in Pakistan after opening up almost all sectors of society.
On Monday, the NCOC decided to allow people aged 70 years and above, who have registered themselves on the helpline 1166, to walk into any vaccination center to get inoculated against COVID-19.
According to an official statement, people were requested to ensure vaccination of senior citizens as most mortality cases were being reported among the old-age group. The decision of walk-in vaccination will be applicable throughout the country, including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The center said citizens would just need to register themselves by sending their computerized national identity card (CNIC) number to 1166 and visit any vaccination center. They should, however, bring their CNICs along with them.
Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar on Wednesday said that Pakistan recorded the ‘highest daily vaccination rate’ yesterday.
In a statement on Twitter, the federal minister, who also heads the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), said more than 41,000 people were inoculated against the novel coronavirus the other day.
“Highest daily vaccination rate of over 41 thousand vaccinations achieved yesterday. Of these 28, 424 vaccinations were carried out of senior citizens,” he said.
Highest daily vaccination rate of over 41 thousand vaccinations achieved yesterday. Of these 28, 424 vaccinations were carried out of senior citizens. Please encourage everyone who is 70 plus to register to get vaccinated.
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) March 17, 2021
