First batch of COVID-19 Vaccine to Reach Pakistan on Saturday

The first batch of COVID-19 vaccine from China is expected to arrive in Pakistan on Saturday according to the health ministry.

According to the ministry, Pakistan International Airline’s (PIA) Boeing 777 will depart for the capital city of China, Beijing, on Friday to get the vaccine.

China has donated 500,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to Pakistan, officials from the national health ministry said on Thursday and the first batch of doses will be given to the front line health workers across the country.

Upon arrival, the vaccine will be distributed to various hospitals through government vehicles.

The ministry further added that the chances of COVID-19 vaccines reaching Pakistan through the private sector in the next five months are slim.

Read more: Pakistan to start COVID-19 vaccination drive from next week

Earlier, The National Command and Control Centre (NCOC) has released details of Pakistan’s vaccination plan for COVID-19.

The vaccination plan was given approval after taking all the provinces and other stakeholders on board.

The Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Jan. 25 announced that Pakistan will start the COVID-19 vaccination drive from next week with the front-line health workers.

In a tweet, he said, “The system for vaccination is in place. Hundreds of vaccination centres in the country will be administering the covid vaccine. Inshallah, the vaccination of front line health workers will start next week.”