SAPM on health says Covid vaccine coming

The issue of developing a vaccine for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, which has so far claimed 6,383 lives and infected 302,020 people across the country, has become a geopolitical issue rather than a simple technical challenge.

This was suggested during a national consultative meeting on developing a Covid-19 vaccine in the country.

The meeting had been organised by the Health and Population Think Tank (HPTT), the Health Services Academy, and the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination. It was attended by all the relevant stakeholders, including leadership from the federal and provincial health departments, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, National Command and Control Center (NCOC), Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), pharmaceutical sectors and technical experts on infectious diseases from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and Aga Khan University, international Covid-19 vaccine experts from Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation, Food and Drug Administration Authority (FDA).

Participants were briefed on the political perspectives surrounding the development of a Covid-19 vaccine and its international standing, the regulatory framework and practices for ensuring global safety standards.

A detailed discussion took place on how should communication strategies around the vaccine should be shaped and developed, the perceived challenges of Covid-19 vaccine in Pakistan and the development of fast-track transparent system for approval and registration of the vaccine.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan affirmed his firm commitment to ensure the timely availability of a vaccine for Covid-19 which complies with global standards of safety and efficacy, once it is approved globally.

Dr Anita Zaidi, the director of vaccine development, discussed how the vaccine development has become a geopolitical issue rather than being a purely technical challenge.

She also briefed about various challenges and potential solutions related to the management of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Advisor on Vaccine Regulations Dr Sarfraz Niazi spoked about the regulatory challenges affiliated with the Covid-19 vaccine.

HSA vice-chancellor and the National Vaccine Committee Chairman told participants about the progress made aon developing the vaccine, registration of patients and implementation of an immunisation regime.

Issues of equity, effective communication strategies, gender-based distribution, costs and subsidies for Covid-19 vaccine were also discussed.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2020.