Pakistan launched an inoculation campaign and administered vaccine doses to frontline workers but there has been uncertainty when the next batches will reach. The pandemic is far from over and experts have warned of a third wave as restrictions have gradually been lifted too soon.
Pakistan received half a million doses from China as a goodwill gesture but we have been unable to secure more doses. The private sector was given permission to import vaccines without a price cap but it is unlikely to reach anytime soon. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that China will provide another half a million vaccine doses.
Pakistan is expected to receive the next batch of vaccines by June as it will be the biggest recipient of the COVAX scheme aimed at providing doses to poor countries. The programme was launched by WHO to ensure equitable access as rich countries have been hoarding vaccines even beyond their needs. Under the scheme, Pakistan will receive over ten million free coronavirus vaccines by June.
The government approved a $200 million loan to immunize nearly 70 million people which would require 146.2 million doses. The government has finalised a $1.1 billion COVID -19 preparedness and response programme but has been compelled to borrow loans from global financial institutions such as the World Bank to meets its needs. Pakistan would receive 95.3 million doses from the GAVI alliance but will have to meet the rest from loans.
The first batch of deliveries includes doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine which is considered ineffective against the UK variant which has been confirmed in Pakistan. Pakistan has still not administered any vaccine to the elderly who are susceptible and most at risk from the virus. This makes it even more necessary to receive the jabs as the virus can mutate and the vaccine can be rendered ineffective. There is a lot which is still unknown about the vaccine which has led to skepticism and even reluctance.
The government has taken the decision that all healthcare workers who refuse to receive the vaccine will be dismissed from service. The move has stoked controversy and will increase even more doubt about the vaccine. Pakistan lags way behind in vaccine inoculation and many of us will have way several months until we receive the jabs. We need to increase our efforts and also reduce the misinformation that is being spread about the vaccine.
