Country expected to start procurement of COVID-19 vaccine by February, says Dr. Faisal Sultan.

KARACHI -- Country is expected to start procurement of COVID-19 vaccine within first quarter of 2021 - possibly sometime in February, said Dr. Faisal Sultan, the Special Assistant to the PM on health.

Sharing details of the process, he told reporter on Friday that along with bilateral arrangements to get it directly from the manufacturers, COVAX facility through GAVI is also there.

Import of these by private companies was said to have been allowed to those who can afford the same.

To a query, he said first quarter of 2021 has been set as the targeted time frame to help arrange the first batch of the vaccine for the country with the objective aimed at protecting people most vulnerable to the viral infection.

"Chances are that availability will be there from February," said the SAPM on health.

Answering a question, he said there is little possibility to have the first batch in next two weeks time, but efforts are fast underway for earliest availability.

Dispelling the impression about any preferences, Dr. Faisal Sultan said top priority is availability, efficacy (with no or negligible side effects) and supply capacities of the companies.

He said six to eight companies identified by a committee of experts have been...