Pakistan launches homemade anti-COVID jab ‘PakVac’

The launching ceremony of the first Pakistani anti-COVID vaccine was held in Islamabad with the participation of the Federal Minister for Development and Planning Asad Umar, Special Assistant for Health Dr Faisal Sultan, Chinese Ambassador and National Institute of Health (NIH) head.

PAkVac is developed and packaged at the NIH and is made from the raw material of Chinese jab SinoVac.

The vaccine has been developed in collaboration with the Chinese experts.

While on the occasion Federal Minister and NCOC head Asad Umar said coordinated, systematic efforts are need of the hour to deal with the health challenges like COVID-19.

He remarked (the launching of PakVac) as an “important day” added that the number of patients on oxygen support was 60% more than it was during the first wave.

He said concrete measures are being taken to strengthen the country’s health system.

The Minister appreciated the role of the National Health Institute in collecting the data of COVID patients that helped to provide the best facilities to the deserving people.

Asad Umar said the government is striving to achieve the best in Health and Education sectors and for this purpose, “we have increased budgetary allocations.”

Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan said that the country will soon be able to start the production of the drug.

PM’s aide of Health, while speaking at the launch ceremony, said that the is an opportunity in every difficulty.

He also added that during the pandemic, China stood out as a friend of Pakistan.

“China was already a friend and came forward when coronavirus [hit Pakistan],” said Dr Sultan.

He also lauded the NIH for developing the vaccine.

Developing the vaccine from raw materials is not an easy task. [Pakistan is] proud of the individuals that industrialized the injection at the NIH,” said Dr Sultan.

Meanwhile, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) chief Asad Umar remarked that today was an “important day”.

Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong, on the occasion, said that the vaccine’s production is an example of the friendship between the two countries.

He added that Pakistan is the first country that accepted the Chinese shot as a gift.