Pakistan on Tuesday launched its locally-developed COVID-19 vaccine 'PakVac' with the help of its ally China. Addressing the launch ceremony of the vaccine, Special Assistant to the Pakistani Prime Minister on Health, Faisal Sultan, described the local production of vaccine as a milestone for the country, which will prove crucial in Pakistan's fight against COVID-19.
Sultan said, "Pakistan is trying to overcome the difficult challenges and turn them into opportunities with the help of friends. We found our friend China closest to us in overcoming the Covid-19 challenge. China provided the raw material for the vaccine but still it was not easy to develop it. The local mass production of the vaccine will begin in the coming days."
Pakistan's Minister of Planning and Development Asad Umar, who is also the head of the National Command and Operation Center, said it was an important day for Pakistan. He said, "Chinese vaccines including the CanSino vaccine are the preferred ones in the country due to their superior quality and effective results." The development came as the positivity rate fell below 4 percent for the first time in three months when 1,771 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, taking the tally of confirmed cases to 922,824, according to the Ministry of National Health Services.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong said that the vaccine cooperation between China and Pakistan will contribute to the country's efforts in fighting COVID-19 by reducing dependence on imports of the coronavirus vaccine. The Chinese envoy said that China will continue to support Pakistan in the fight against COVID-19 until the pandemic is completely controlled.