Pakistan 'grateful' to WHO chief for assurance on coronavirus vaccine supply

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister  (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan  thanked World Health Organisation chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday for his support and assurance to him on coronavirus vaccine supply. 

"I  had a very productive conversation last evening with Dr Tedros on COVID vaccine supply chain especially via GAVI to maintain an adequate and consistent availability, across the world," tweeted Dr Sultan.

The SAPM said that he was "grateful" to the WHO chief for his "support and assurance" on the issue. 

Earlier, Dr Tedros had thanked Dr Sultan for the "good call". He assured the de facto health minister of the country that WHO and the COVAX partners were "committed to delivering vaccines to all countries despite supply challenges".

Tedros said that he "reassured" the SAPM  that WHO is working with COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers to speed up the emergency use listing process. 

He added that once approved COVAX can then "expand its portfolio and deliver doses quicker and in larger quantities".

Currently, Pakistan is vaccinating the country's healthcare workers and people over the age of 60 after launching the vaccination drive on February 2.

Pakistan is using the Sinopharm vaccine developed by state-run China National Pharmaceutical Group, which has shown to be 79% effective.