The Ministry of National Health Services on
Monday refuted media reports that it had allowed the private sector to purchase
Covid-19 vaccines for those individuals that can afford to pay for them. Earlier
today; a report published and quoted a statement issued by the health
ministry as stating that the government had given permission to ‘cater to the
segment of society that can afford’ the vaccine. However; Sajid Shah; the
spokesperson for the ministry; denied issuing such a statement. Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan CEO Asim
Rauf also refuted the report. ‘Nothing of this sort has been done. Such
permissions can't be given at this point because governments all over the world
over are struggling to procure Covid-19 vaccines;’ he said. Pakistan has increased
its funds allocated for purchasing a Covid-19 vaccine to $250 million and
signed non-disclosure agreements with various multinational companies. Under
the agreement; the recipient country will not make details of the vaccine
public. Originally; the government had set aside $150m for the vaccine. “We
will sign a purchase agreement with more than one company to ensure that we get
a vaccine (in case any of the available vaccine fails). Russia had also offered
us its vaccine recently. However; we are looking into its safety and efficacy
as public health is our top priority;’ said Parliamentary Secretary on National
Health Services (NHS) Dr. Nausheen Hamid. Hamid said it was hoped that the
delivery of the vaccine would start by the end of the first quarter of next
year. ‘However; we are not going to give the vaccine to everyone. According to
our priority list; in the first phase, healthcare workers attending to Covid-19
patients and people over 65 years will be vaccinated. ‘In the second phase; the
remaining healthcare workers and people over 60 years of age will get
preference. Moreover GAVI has also pledged to provide vaccine for 20pc
population which comes to 45 million people;’ she said.
by: Mhmaamay - mhmamay
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