'Reflective of Pak-US friendship': Dr Faisal hails arrival of 2.5m Moderna vaccine doses

Delivery of doses to Pakistan highlights enduring friendship and cooperation on Covid-19, says US Secretary of State

Welcoming the arrival of 2.5 million doses of Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan said that it is reflective of the friendship between Pakistan and the United States.

The vaccine doses were donated by the US under a partnership with the COVAX global vaccine initiative, Unicef and the federal government.

According to an official statement issued by the US embassy, the vaccines arrived at the Islamabad International Airport as a donation part of the 80 million doses the US is sharing with the world.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken while taking to Twitter said that the delivery of doses to Pakistan highlights the enduring friendship and cooperation on the novel coronavirus pandemic. "We are committed to bringing this pandemic to an end around the world," he added.

The United States' delivery of 2.5M doses of the Moderna vaccine to Pakistan highlights our enduring friendship and cooperation on COVID-19. We are committed to bringing this pandemic to an end around the world. pic.twitter.com/adqb60D7DQ

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) July 2, 2021

Responding to the gesture on the microblogging site, Dr Faisal said: "A welcome arrival to add to our covid vaccination efforts and reflective of Pak-US friendship."

A welcome arrival to add to our covid vaccination efforts and reflective of Pak-US friendship https://t.co/1rJcQVEfeP

— Faisal Sultan (@fslsltn) July 2, 2021

“The United States is committed to bringing the same urgency to international vaccination efforts that we have demonstrated at home,” President Joe Biden was quoted by the US embassy as saying.

“The United States Mission to Pakistan is pleased to share these safe and effective vaccines with the people of Pakistan,” US Embassy Chargé d’affaires Angela P Aggeler said.

Read Active Covid cases drop below 32,000 in Pakistan

“These vaccines will save lives and help Pakistan emerge from this crisis, which has devastated so many families and communities in both our countries. A vaccinated public will also help bring back the economic and social interactions we all welcome. We appreciate the ongoing collaboration with the Pakistani government and our international partners to make this delivery and these goals a reality.”

The communiqué further said that in addition to today’s vaccine donation, the US had delivered nearly $50 million in Covid assistance through "our partnership with the Pakistani government".

Also read: Pakistan receives 2.5m Moderna jabs from US

“Since the start of the pandemic, we have worked together to improve infection prevention and control, enhance patient care, expand laboratory testing, disease monitoring, and case tracking in all districts, and support frontline healthcare workers,” Aggeler added.

Separately, the United States had pledged $4 billion to support COVAX with the purchase and delivery of Covid-19 vaccines to 92 low and middle-income countries, the official statement stated.

It further said that this contribution was supporting equitable access to vaccines for the world’s most vulnerable and at-risk populations, including frontline healthcare workers.

In May, Pakistan received 1.2 million doses of the Astra Zeneca vaccine as part of the COVAX effort.