10 million more vaccination doses to arrive from China

Pakistan International Airlines will run eight special flights from today to airlift 10 million doses of anti-Covid-19 vaccines from China to Pakistan.

PIA Country Manager for China Qadir Bux Sangi said that a couple of flights of the national flag carrier will leave Beijing Airport today with anti-Covid-19 vaccines procured from China.

He said that PIA has so far brought around 35 million doses of Sinopharm and CanSino vaccines to Pakistan from China.

The government intends to achieve the target of administering 70 million doses of vaccines to people under its massive vaccination campaign across the country.

Separately, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Health Dr Faisal Sultan welcomed the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation (Gavi) support to the government of Pakistan in uplifting the state of immunisation.

In meeting with the Gavi’s mission delegation he appreciated the cooperation and support of Gavi for strengthening the health system saying that Pakistan looks forward to future collaboration in all initiatives to further enhance our capacities.

Senior Program Manager Gavi Alexa Reynolds said that the COVAX will aim to provide enough doses to vaccinate approximately 45 million people or more in Pakistan, through a combination of free doses and dose-sharing.

The objective of the Gavi mission’s visit was to identify country needs in terms of immunisation and to provide maximum support in future for the provision of vaccine through COVAX and to enhance the capacity of cold chain.