Pakistan has got the first shipment of the British coronavirus vaccine AstraZeneca, said a Ministry of Health spokesperson.
The consignment comprising 1,248,400 doses of the vaccine reached Islamabad airport on Saturday, the spokesperson said.
The vaccine has been brought under the COVAX facility, he added.
Pakistan was to get the first tranche of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine via COVAX in March, but the supply was delayed after the Serum Institute of India (SII) diverted supplies to meet its domestic needs.
According to a National Command Operation Centre (NCOC) statement issued on Saturday, Pakistan has so far received 10.19 million doses of different vaccines (Sinopharm, Sinovac, and CanSino).
The NCOC said that one million doses of Sinovac will arrive on May 13 and another 1.5 million doses are expected by the end of current month.
It also urged all citizens especially senior citizens of 60 years plus age to get themselves vaccinated on priority. The 60 years and above are most vulnerable to disease
Vaccinations drive against coronavirus is underway in Pakistan.
