First batch of British AstraZeneca vaccine arrives in Pakistan

• The first shipment of the British coronavirus AstraZeneca has arrived in Pakistan.
  
• The first consignment of the AstraZeneca vaccine has arrived at Islamabad International Airport.
  
• The first consignment of the vaccine includes 1,248,400 doses of the vaccine.
  

ISLAMABAD: The first shipment of the British coronavirus AstraZeneca has arrived in Pakistan, Geo News reported on Saturday.

According to a Ministry of Health spokesperson, the first consignment of the AstraZeneca vaccine has arrived at Islamabad International Airport. 

The first consignment of the vaccine includes 1,248,400 doses of the vaccine.

Read more: Coronavirus: Pakistan starts formulation, packing of China's CanSino Bio vaccine

The spokesperson added that the first batch of AstraZeneca vaccine has been brought under the COVAX facility.

Pakistan was supposed to get the first tranche of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine via COVAX in March, but supply was delayed after the Serum Institute of India (SII) diverted supplies to meet its domestic needs, officials said.

"Pakistan has now managed to get the coronavirus vaccine from South Korea using influence with partner organisations," according to a The News report.

According to National Command Operation Centre (NCOC)'s statement issued on Saturday, so far 10.19 million doses of different vaccines (Sinopharm, Sinovac, and CanSino) have been received in Pakistan.

"1.23 million doses of AstraZeneca received today in Islamabad (this vaccine is procured through the COVAX program)," read the statement.

Read more: Pakistan to receive first batch of free AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine May 8

NCOC also said that one million doses of Sinovac are landing on May 13-15 whereas another 1.5 million doses are expected by the end of May 2021.

It also urged all citizens especially senior citizens of 60 years plus age to get vaccinate themselves at priority. 60 years and above are most vulnerable to disease

Vaccinations against coronavirus are underway in Pakistan in which citizens are being vaccinated with Chinese Sinopharm, CanSino Bio vaccine against the virus.