Second batch of AstraZeneca arrives in Islamabad

Pakistan on Saturday received its second batch of 1.2 million doses of AstraZeneca through COVAX.

COVAX, co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi (the Vaccines Alliance), and the World Health Organisation, is a global initiative that works with governments and manufacturers to ensure Covid-19 vaccines are available worldwide to both higher-income and lower-income countries.

Pakistan received its first batch of 1.2 million AstraZeneca doses in May.

AstraZeneca Country President for GCC and Pakistan Sameh Elfangary was delighted on the second batch reaching the country.

“This is wonderful news for the people of Pakistan. On behalf of AstraZeneca, I would like to thank our partners at COVAX for making this possible. All partners are working round the clock to ensure that as many COVID-19 vaccines can get to as many people as soon as possible,” she said in a statement.

She further stated that this milestone further demonstrates the value of governments, industry and others working together to fight against the pandemic.

“AstraZeneca is committed to providing the vaccine broadly and equitably across the globe, at no profit during the pandemic,” Elfangary said adding that the vaccine has helped to save tens of thousands of lives and prevent thousands of hospitalisations since the start of this year.

“To date, nearly 700 million doses have been released for supply to 170 countries worldwide, and AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine accounts for approximately 90 per cent of COVAX supply to date, with more than 80 million doses released for supply to 127 countries,” she briefed.