Pakistan approves medical use of AstraZeneca vaccine

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has finally granted approval for the medical emergency use of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine.

Special assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Healh Dr Faisal Sultan told Geo TV the Drug Regulatory Authority Pakistan (DRAP) has authorised the emergency use of the vaccine.

The AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine, which was granted its first approval by Britain late December, is cheaper and easier to use than some rival shots, thus providing major advantages in tackling a pandemic that has claimed more than two million lives worldwide.

There has been some uncertainty about its most effective dosage ever since data, published in November showed a half-dose followed by a full dose had a 90% success rate while two full shots were 62% effective.

“The combined analysis from both dosing regimens (n=11,636) resulted in an average efficacy of 70%,” a statement by AstraZeneca read.

Meanwhile, Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho urged the federal government on Saturday to allow Sindh to procure a vaccine for the novel coronavirus.

The health minister questioned the government’s slow approach in ordering vaccines, saying a delay on this front would make Pakistan a “pariah” country.