ISLAMABAD: Pakistan today (Friday) received 2.5 million doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, donated by the United States (US) under partnership with the COVAX global vaccine initiative, UNICEF and the federal government.
According to a statement issued by the US embassy, the vaccines arrived at the Islamabad International Airport are part of the 80 million doses the US is sharing with the world.
“The United States is committed to bringing the same urgency to international vaccination efforts that we have demonstrated at home,” the press release stated, quoting US President Joe Biden.
US Embassy Chargé d’affaires Angela P Aggeler said, “The United States Mission to Pakistan is pleased to share these safe and effective vaccines with the people of Pakistan.”
“These vaccines will save lives and help Pakistan emerge from this crisis, which has devastated so many families and communities in both our countries. A vaccinated public will also help bring back the economic and social interactions we all welcome. We appreciate the ongoing collaboration with the Pakistani government and our international partners to make this delivery and these goals a reality,” he added.
The communiqué further added that in addition to today’s vaccine donation, the US had delivered nearly $50 million in COVID-19 assistance through our partnership with the Pakistani government.
“Since the start of the pandemic, we have worked together to improve infection prevention and control, enhance patient care, expand laboratory testing, disease monitoring, and case tracking in all districts, and support frontline healthcare workers,” Aggeler added.
Separately, the United States had pledged $4 billion to support COVAX with the purchase and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to 92 low and middle-income countries, the press release added.
In May, Pakistan received 1.2 million doses of the Astra Zeneca vaccine as part of the COVAX effort.
