Pakistan to get 'Made-in-India' COVID-19 vaccines under GAVI alliance
Pakistan will soon get Indian-made coronavirus vaccines under the United Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), a public-private health partnership to increase access to immunization in poor countries across the globe, reports say. The GAVI alliance had last year pledged to provide free vaccines to 20 percent of the population of around 190 countries, including Pakistan. Here are more details on this.
45 million doses will be sent to Pakistan
While discussions around logistics are still underway, it is expected that 45 million (or 4.5 crore) doses of the Covishield - being manufactured by the Pune-based Serum Institute of India - will be sent to Pakistan from India. According to officials, Pakistan would receive the first batch of vials by mid-March while the rest is expected to reach by June.
Pakistan reports 5.95 lakh coronavirus cases
Pakistan has logged more than 5,95,000 cases of coronavirus thus far and reported over 13,000 fatalities due to the deadly virus. Reportedly, 27.5 million (2.75 crore) people, including frontline workers and senior citizens, have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in the country.
India has supplied COVID-19 vaccines to 65 countries
India has thus far supplied COVID-19 vaccines to 65 countries under three categories - as part of the global vaccine alliance; in the form of grant or aid (free of cost), and through commercial sales. All of India's neighbors, except Pakistan, have already received the vaccines. In fact, countries like Afghanistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh had begun their vaccination programs using Indian-made vaccines.
India praised for its vaccine policy internationally
India has been applauded for its vaccine policy and for supporting vaccine equity. Gita Gopinathan, International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Chief Economist, had said on Monday that India has emerged as the vaccine manufacturing hub. "India really stands out in terms of its vaccine policy," she said. Last month, World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had also praised India's commitment toward promoting vaccine equity.
COVID-19 infected nearly 12 crore around the world
India, the second worst-hit country in the COVID-19 outbreak with over 1.12 crore infections, began the second phase of its massive inoculation program earlier this month. The United States remains the worst-affected nation with over 2.98 crore cases of coronavirus so far. Across the globe, COVID-19 has sickened over 11.81 crore and claimed the lives of more than 26.22 lakh, according to Worldometers.
