ISLAMABAD: $150 million budget set aside for the purchase of coronavirus vaccines that had been approved by the cabinet can be increased.
Speaking to a private news channel the Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives dispelled the notion that Pakistan does not plan on purchasing vaccines.
He responded in detail to a question by the show host regarding National Health Service (NHS) Secretary Amir Ashraf Khawaja reporting to the Public Accounts Committee that the government aims to combat coronavirus through herd immunity and donated vaccines and has no plan to purchase doses at least this year.
Umar said while Pakistan, in line with other countries, does not plan to vaccinate youngsters aged 18 years or younger, around 110 million people are those who must be vaccinated. “We had aggressively planned on vaccinating at least 60-70% of this number.”
The GAVI doses that will arrive are for 45 million people which means 30 million will be left over for whom we will purchase vaccines, he said.
“Purchase deals are being made with two companies. We have closed the deal with one and in two to three days will be sealing it with the other.
“From end of March to the end of April we will have several hundred thousand of these purchased vaccines as well,” the minister said.
The cabinet approval for use of $150 million for purchase of vaccines can be increased if required, he added.
“Procurement of vaccines will not be stopped due to monetary considerations,” Umar asserted.
‘I appeal to people to get vaccinated’
Speaking of a slow rate of vaccinations and the strategy being employed for Pakistan, Umar said people are not registering as much as they should be.
He said less than 10% of those who are 60 or above have registered so far to get vaccinated.
