KARACHI: Pakistani authorities have also allowed the use of Russia’s Corona vaccine ‘Sputnik’ in emergencies and officials say the first batch of the vaccine will reach Pakistan by the end of this month.
Officials at the Ministry of Health say the Russian vaccine has been approved by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan’s Registration Board.
The local pharmaceutical company, AGP Pharmaceutical Company Limited, has been given permission to order the vaccine, officials said.
Pakistan has so far allowed three vaccines from different countries to be used in emergencies, including the Chinese company’s Sinopharm vaccine, the British company’s AstraZeneca vaccine and the Russian vaccine Sputnik.
Medical experts say the vaccine is 92% effective against coronavirus.
According to the AGP, the first shipment of 50,000 doses will reach Pakistan this month. The Russian vaccine must be stored at minus 18 degrees.
On the other hand, experts say that the Russian vaccine is likely to be provided in Pakistan at twice the price of India.