ISLAMABAD – National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) chief Asad Umarannouncing ‘good news’ said that Pakistan is expected to receive up to 17million doses of the Oxfore-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine in the firsthalf of 2021.

Taking to Twitter, the planning minister wrote, “Good news on COVID vaccinefront. Received a letter from COVAX of [an] indicative supply of up to 17million doses of AstraZeneca in 1st half 2021”.

He added that six million of the total 17 million jabs will be received byMarch with delivery starting in February. He did not announce any specificdate.

Umar said that Pakistan signed with COVAX – an alliance that has been setup by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi), Coalitionfor Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and World Health Organization(WHO) in April 2020, nearly eight months back to ensure availability.

Of the 190 participating, Pakistan is among the 92 that qualify for theWHO’s COVAX initiative that ensures “rapid and equitable access to COVID-19vaccines for all countries, regardless of income level”.

Earlier this month, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) gavego-ahead for the use of the Chinese-manufactured Sinopharm, and theOxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.