ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has received 2.5 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine donated by the United States on Friday at Islamabad International Airport.
The vaccines are being distributed to Pakistanis in collaboration with the COVAX global vaccine initiative, UNICEF, and the Pakistani government, according to a statement released by the US Embassy in Pakistan.
“The United States Mission to Pakistan is pleased to share these safe and effective vaccines with the people of Pakistan,” said U.S. Embassy Chargé d’affaires Angela P. Aggeler.
In addition to the vaccine received today, the United States has already provided nearly US$50 million in COVID assistance through their partnership with the Pakistani government.
The new shipment will put an end to overseas Pakistanis’ struggles to obtain US-made COVID-19 vaccines before travelling abroad.
The doses will be given out first to Pakistanis living abroad and people suffering from chronic diseases. Saudi Arabia, Gulf states, Europe, and the United States have all approved the US-made Moderna vaccine (US).
The US embassy in Islamabad posted on twitter; “Today, 2.5 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine donated by the United States arrived at Islamabad International Airport. The vaccines will be delivered to the Pakistani people in partnership w/ COVAX, @UNICEF & the @GovtofPakistan”
1/3 Today, 2.5 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine donated by the United States arrived at Islamabad International Airport. The vaccines will be delivered to the Pakistani people in partnership w/ COVAX, @UNICEF & the @GovtofPakistan. https://t.co/7E16mk2gi2 pic.twitter.com/ZScjfzlbPt
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) July 2, 2021
2/3 “These vaccines will save lives and help Pakistan emerge from this crisis, which has devastated so many families and communities in both our countries. A vaccinated public will also help bring back the economic and social interactions we all welcome,” said CDA Aggeler. pic.twitter.com/EXpyS0SGYl
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) July 2, 2021
3/3 In addition to today’s vaccine donation, the US has delivered nearly $50 million in COVID assistance through our partnership with the @GovtofPakistan. Since the start of the pandemic, we have worked together to improve lab testing, disease monitoring, and patient care.
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) July 2, 2021
Pfizer-BioNTech and Astrazeneca vaccine stocks were also provided by Covax, with 100,600 Pfizer-BioNTech doses and 1,238,000 Astrazeneca doses. According to sources, a shipment of 18 million coronavirus vaccine doses had arrived in Pakistan.