In a major development, Pakistan has successfully fulfilled all theprerequisites to request GAVI for the coronavirus vaccine through the COVAXfacility, which is a coalition for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines byall countries.

After releasing the application template on 17 November, GAVI had set 7December 2020 as the deadline to receive the application.

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Soon after this, the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), under theguidance of the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations andCoordination, established a technical working group that worked around theclock to complete the consultation process while having all thestakeholders on board.

The proposal drafted therein was endorsed by the National TechnicalAdvisory Group (NITAG) on Immunizations on 1 December and was approved bythe National Interagency Coordination Committee (NICC) today in a meetingchaired by the Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health, Dr.Faisal Sultan.

The attendees of the meeting who had convened through video link includedthe Director-General Health, representatives of the Ministry of Finance,national and provincial EPI Managers, representatives of the WHO, UNICEF,and GAVI, as well as other development partners and international donors.

Speaking at the occasion, the SAPM highlighted the efforts of theGovernment of Pakistan in curtailing the impact of COVID-19 using allpotential measures and available options.