Govt in talks with China, Russia to get vaccines, says Dr Faisal Sultan
Health authorities are negotiating with China and Russia, among others, to procure coronavirus vaccines, prime minister's aide Dr Faisal Sultan said on Monday.
“We are in talks with China, Russia and some other countries for procurement of the [Covid-19] vaccine after narrowing down our priority list,” Dr Sultan, the special assistant to the prime minister on health (SAPM), told Anadolu Agency.
The vaccine, he said, would be available in Pakistan sometime between January and March next year, and administered to health workers and senior citizens in the first phase.
“There is nothing final yet; however, I can tell you that we have to rely on more than one source,” the SAPM said. “We will procure the vaccine only after its efficacy and safety is proven."
While Russia has started the distribution of its Sputnik V Covid-19 shot nationwide, China is testing its vaccines in many countries, and supply deals are being signed.
Other vaccines seeking emergency use authorisation are produced by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Oxford-AstraZeneca.
Islamabad has already earmarked an initial sum of $150 million to purchases the doses. In a press conference earlier this month, Dr Sultan had said that the authorities will request the government to approve more funds if required.
Last week, Nausheen Hamid, the parliamentary secretary for health, said all citizens would be administered Covid-19 vaccines free of charge, and the drive will begin in the second quarter of 2021.
According to Dr Sultan, the vaccine will be administered to citizens in stages: frontline healthcare workers will be the first priority; in the second stage, the elderly and at risk-population, in addition to other healthcare workers, will get the vaccine; and the common public will receive the vaccine in the third stage.
Pakistan has witnessed a spike in Covid-19 cases and deaths in recent weeks. The country recorded 3,795 new infections today, the highest single-day tally since July 3.
The total caseload in the country of 220 million people has reached 420,294, including 8,398 related deaths. Pakistan has tested about 5.8 million people for the virus to date.
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Comments (110) Closed
Dec 07, 2020 08:11pm
Another loan is in the pipeline.
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Dec 07, 2020 08:12pm
Chinese medicine is very effective. China has lowest fatilities per million of population. Worth going for it.
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Dec 07, 2020 08:12pm
Good, atleast Imran Khan realised the importance of vaccine.
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Dec 07, 2020 08:12pm
Iron(ic) brother will not even give the empty syringe in free.
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Dec 07, 2020 08:13pm
Why the vaccine from China or Russia? The two countries who have the most dubious records, you should talk to the Oxford-AstraZenecawhich had the highest efficacy and easier storage... You are going to buy vaccines from our money that you have collected via tax. That is the only vaccine anybody would be interested in
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Dec 07, 2020 08:13pm
This low quality vaccine that they want to purchase from Russia and China is of no use. Everybody knows that the military and bureaucracy of Pakistan will use vaccine imported from US and UK for themselves and there children. Whereas ordinary Pakistanis will be given this low quality vaccine from Russia and China.
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Dec 07, 2020 08:21pm
One would have thought that the PCB's experience with Corona test kits would have dissuaded people from wanting their vaccines.
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Dec 07, 2020 08:22pm
. Bangladesh refused China's 'unpoven' COVID-19 vaccine offer.
. Bangladesh signs deal with India for 30 million doses of COVID-19 Vaccines ---- developed by Oxford Uniersity/ AstraZeneca (UK) and produced by Serum Institute (India).
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Dec 07, 2020 08:25pm
There is one thing final though. The game over marathon.
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Dec 07, 2020 08:31pm
Experimenting vaccine.
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Dec 07, 2020 08:32pm
@Surya Kant, says who? There always be side effects. Nothing is risk free.
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Dec 07, 2020 08:42pm
Both Chinese & Russian COVID-19 vaccines are 'unproven'.
Bangladesh Govt refuses Chinese COVID-19 Vaccine offer and buying 30 million doses of Oxford University-AstraZeneca Vaccines from India.
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Dec 07, 2020 08:44pm
@Khizr , Chinese Vaccine comes free is advantage.
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Dec 07, 2020 08:45pm
Only Chinese vaccine is an option available us because no effort was made by the government earlier. You know Chinese goods...
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Dec 07, 2020 08:46pm
I wouldn't trust either the Chinese or the Russian vaccines, until they provide more data on their clinical trials, sample sizes, side effects, documentation into their testing methods, research techniques and technology used to produce these vaccines.n
There is a reason drug approval in most EU countries and US takes a long time. The regulatory authorities need to examine all the information carefully and evaluate the efficacy versus potential harm to people, before wide distribution of it.
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Dec 07, 2020 08:48pm
Are we talking to Somalia and Kazakhstan for vaccine when other countries are trying from global top companies for reliable vaccine?
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Dec 07, 2020 08:48pm
India has already ordered 1.6 billion dozes of this vaccine on payment which is second highest order in world.
More than half of this in the beginning will be produced in India.
As per Pfizer notification India will be exporting this vaccine to rest of world by Mar 2021 .
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Dec 07, 2020 08:52pm
Who are these "some other countries"
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Dec 07, 2020 08:53pm
India is the largest vaccine producer in the world. Not China or Russia. Further Indian vaccine will be affordable for all South Asian countries. It will cost around 500 Pakistani Rupees. Next cheapest is Russian vaccine which is around 1500 rupees. European and US vaccines are only affordable for rich.
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Dec 07, 2020 08:58pm
@Doctor of None,
But Modi had promised his masses vaccine was coming on Aug 15 2020 to be first in the race.
So, where is it?
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Dec 07, 2020 08:59pm
Looks like more trouble ahead. Just$150m for COVID-19 vaccine. This doctor must be kidding.
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Dec 07, 2020 09:02pm
Best of luck to all those who want to use Russian vaccine to get vaccinated against the ever growing, rapidly expanding, fastly increasing and almost unstoppable coronavirus pandemic.
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Dec 07, 2020 09:02pm
Few outside China or Russia are going to risk their lives using medicines made in either country.
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Dec 07, 2020 09:10pm
Russia is not giving loans.
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Dec 07, 2020 09:10pm
Make sure you add 10% extra for all those infected by the PDM Jalsa.
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Dec 07, 2020 09:12pm
Simple math. Only 7.5 million people in Pakistan will get the vaccine. Not even 10% of your population. By your own estimation which itself is likely to be grossly underreported, your infection rate is more than 10% in several areas.
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Dec 07, 2020 09:18pm
@Jp, ofcourse he realizes please give him some time like priority with vaccine he also has priorities chalked out with other things also.
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Dec 07, 2020 09:21pm
What happened to Science & Information Ministers word? Pakistan is in a position to export vaccine.
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Dec 07, 2020 09:24pm
For Health workers Government must provide gun Man, if Vaccine delivered to house to house
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Dec 07, 2020 09:28pm
Russian Vaccine is made in INDIA
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Dec 07, 2020 09:45pm
World rejected these two vaccines so why not grab that.
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Dec 07, 2020 09:52pm
U should opt for china vaccine , country is known for quality.
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Dec 07, 2020 10:03pm
All the countries have already finalized Advance Purchase Agreements with PFIZER and others for vaccine that are likely available at earliest. Pakistan has not yet anyone. Speaks of the incompetency of the government.
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Dec 07, 2020 10:05pm
But Chinese their virus their medicines.
Why did Govt declared free vaccines even before signing contracts? Just a gimmick?
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Dec 07, 2020 10:11pm
Russian vaccine is made in India. Come and take it
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Dec 07, 2020 10:12pm
Whole world talks with India for vaccine
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Dec 07, 2020 10:13pm
In 150 million only for the privileged the vaccine can be bought.
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Dec 07, 2020 10:15pm
@Rathore, India.
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Dec 07, 2020 10:29pm
@Doctor of None, absolutely correct, India is hub for good and affordable medicines.
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Dec 07, 2020 10:31pm
In the month of December, always Pakistan seek help from China !
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Dec 07, 2020 10:39pm
@Surya Kant, chines invented the Virus in first place. No wonder
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Dec 07, 2020 10:39pm
@Joe, it is true, Pakistan has banned Indian made products so affordable vaccine will not be able to reach Pakistani people. Sad, leaders in Pakistan has axesd their own feet.
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Dec 07, 2020 10:40pm
Ask for "smart vaccine" for free.
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Dec 07, 2020 10:50pm
Are those free or how will it be paid for, have no money in the bank.
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Dec 07, 2020 11:13pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, Best of luck for Chinese vaccine too.
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Dec 07, 2020 11:22pm
@bhaRAT©, so what
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Dec 07, 2020 11:26pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, Why not Chinese Vaccine?
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Dec 07, 2020 11:32pm
@Surya Kant, it's not even been used in China yet. The Chinks won't test von their own people , they're going to use us and the equally stupid Brazilians as their lab rats. I would not even inject my enemies with anything made in China .
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Dec 07, 2020 11:33pm
@Jawad, how well we now understand the facts. But alas, powerless to do anything about it. We can only suffer and die as slaves of these corrupt elites.
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Dec 07, 2020 11:35pm
@M. Emad, Pakistan will keep on making the same old mistakes ad infinitum. Until and unless we give up all animosity and forget the divisions and become friends with our eastern neighbours, our lot will never change .
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Dec 07, 2020 11:36pm
Be smart and buy it from where it is produced?!
West is not going to China.
Or else buy it from India vai UAE route .. that will be still cheaper than Chinese.
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Dec 07, 2020 11:52pm
Good to get from Russia
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Dec 07, 2020 11:54pm
If truth be told Astra Zeneca vaccine is more COMPATIBLE to S Asians. Both Moderna and Pfyzer vaccines use messenger RNA attuned to white caucasian genes. Also Pfyzer's vaccine storage is beyond our capability. Let us forget our ego this time and ask India to supply us Astra Zeneca vaccine as it is produced in India and also much cheaper than the other vaccines. Both Chinese and the Russian vaccines are yet unproven. Please save live not stand on our ego.
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Dec 07, 2020 11:57pm
@bhaRAT©, It does NOT matter where it is. Now they have it and WE DO NOT. That is what counts. Right now that (Oxford-Astra Zenec) is the only viable vaccine for S Asians. It is produced in India at much cheaper rates than the other vaccines. If you do not want the Indian vaccine, it is fine with me but let other Pakistanis be practical and get the vaccine.
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Dec 07, 2020 11:59pm
@Jp, Actually Pakistan IMPORTS life saving medicines from India. So they can get the vaccines only the PM Imran Khan has to swallow his ego and ask for it.
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Dec 08, 2020 12:16am
Please do not used vaccines from China and Russia. They will kill more people than Corona.
These vaccines are not tested and have no proof that they will work.
Be mindful and refuse to take these vaccines.
Save your life!!
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Dec 08, 2020 12:21am
Get astra Zeneca vaccine.
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Dec 08, 2020 12:21am
what are the chances of getting help. Can you make them transparent
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Dec 08, 2020 12:25am
What happened to your own collaborative project?!
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Dec 08, 2020 12:28am
This supply will help the elite get vaccinated, not all. Others will have to improve their immune system from this flu-like ailment.
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Dec 08, 2020 12:33am
@M. Emad, oxfords efficacy was disappointing. I would prefer moderna or pziser’s vaccine instead.
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Dec 08, 2020 12:34am
Good step.
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Dec 08, 2020 12:35am
@Jehan Zeb, not really - it’s all about affordability. Looters have ruined the nation and Pakistan cannot afford the price of this vaccine and the cold storage facilities that are needed for it.
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Dec 08, 2020 12:37am
@Jawad, the US and U.K. are buying up all the stock for their own citizens.. the companies will manufacture to those who will pay for it. Pakistan cannot afford the expensive vaccines.. oxfords vaccine is cheap but efficacy wasn’t great. Still an option though.
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Dec 08, 2020 12:38am
What happened to Fawad and Dr Atta who worked to get licence vaccine from other companies to make in Pakistan? Was it just a press briefing in April this year and no real work?
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Dec 08, 2020 12:40am
Pakistan's population is 200+ million. At $3 - $5 per person, it would cost $500+ million. Hope the government has earmarked the necessary funds.
Given that many are reluctant to even get the Polio vaccine, how is the government going to convince people to take Covid vaccine? Besides, without publicly available information, how is the government making sure that the Chinese and Russian vaccines work?
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Dec 08, 2020 12:41am
@Skeptic, Russia would not vaccinate its entire population if it didn’t believe in its own vaccine. Time will tell but people are warming to the Russian vaccine around the world.
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Dec 08, 2020 12:48am
No option but to stick to the cheap inferior product6
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Dec 08, 2020 12:51am
Very surprising as I heard it was just a flu
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Dec 08, 2020 12:55am
PM IK should pick the phone up dial Modi, offer and sign a no-war pact, and ask for vaccines from India. Is this so hard to do for a patriot who wants to see his country progress and move away from 70 years of mindless hatred, war and violence?
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Dec 08, 2020 12:59am
Why would govt not talk to Pfizer or Moderna pharmas directly. It will be cheaper
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Dec 08, 2020 03:41am
"talks"? means what?
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Dec 08, 2020 03:45am
Mean time China silently shipped vaccines to Indonesia who is paying for them
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Dec 08, 2020 04:02am
Can we wait for 06 months before buying any vaccine? There hasn't been any testing of the vaccine. There are lots of theories that this vaccine is an active one and might further aggravate covid-19. They are calling sides effects as immune responses.
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Dec 08, 2020 04:25am
@Habib Canada, How much time he needs, 2.1/2 years of his term has gone , public is not happy with his score card and he is spending most of his time in making wrong decisions. (lots of U-turns). He is very weak in planning and choose wrong ministers.
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Dec 08, 2020 04:30am
@In Today It is a laugh, Science & Information Ministers does not know what is virus, he does not know a word of Science. Imran Khan's big mistake is he has selected wrong people at wrong places and he is paying the price for this.
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Dec 08, 2020 05:09am
Are asking these foreign Governments to give you Free / Loan Money to Buy or outright Buying? Covid Medicine today is nothing but hard cash or gold. Pakistan's smart Lockdown works in Pakistan but it fails in foreign lands rather miserably like in New Zealand.
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Dec 08, 2020 05:26am
Kudos to the very capable Dr. Faisal Sultan for heading the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
The richer countries of the world have already bought-up the available supplies of the Covid-19 vaccines.
So it makes sense for Pakistan to be ordering vaccines from diversified sources...
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Dec 08, 2020 06:02am
@bhaRAT©, Have you noticed that infection rates among Indian front line workers have dropped drastically? That's because the Indian vaccine is being administered without any fanfare or hue and cry.
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Dec 08, 2020 06:58am
Where is Science and Technology minister?
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Dec 08, 2020 07:41am
China will provide for free. It's Pakistan's all weather friend.
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Dec 08, 2020 07:44am
$150 million is nothing, you will have to take two shots of vaccines, that’s how the vaccine works, at about $200 a piece, that’s about 750,000 shots. And you can bet thousands will disappear over night SND end up in the black market selling for 1000 times the price.
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Dec 08, 2020 07:49am
@bhaRAT©, When Ik becomes wise.
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Dec 08, 2020 07:50am
Fake currency will not be accepted.
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Dec 08, 2020 07:53am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, What about Iron brother's vaccine, why only Russian Vaccine which is going to be manufactured in India soon (Sputhnik V)
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Dec 08, 2020 08:00am
I thought China brought the vaccine to Pakistan to live test prior to their citizens. CPEC is great for China.
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Dec 08, 2020 08:08am
Be Careful with Chinese Vaccine. Remember, Chinese stuff does not last long.
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Dec 08, 2020 08:11am
Better to go with western vaccine. Russias closest frnd India refused frm them.
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Dec 08, 2020 08:15am
@bhaRAT©, Why should you be answered? Oil your own machine! You people don't even have a single vaccine! India has five!
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Dec 08, 2020 08:15am
No matter what happens, no import of vaccines made in India.
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Dec 08, 2020 08:19am
@Sikisher, 8th its what you can afford
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Dec 08, 2020 08:24am
@Himmat, talk is cheap why don't stop importing medicines from India.Pakistan can't produce even common medicines.Indian medicines are cheap and affective
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Dec 08, 2020 08:32am
Ruusia and China can give vaccine on deferred payment basis. Pfizer Astra Zenca will demand advance payment.
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Dec 08, 2020 08:42am
...and finally you will buy it from India only....
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Dec 08, 2020 08:43am
Take covid vaccine free from China but buy medicines to treat side effects from China!
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Dec 08, 2020 08:44am
The virus will take pity and vanish itself from your land.
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Dec 08, 2020 08:45am
Still in talks? Shocking that BFF china isnt even going to give vaccine for free?
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Dec 08, 2020 08:48am
Incompetence is evident when the government is only in talks! What are the plans for storage, distribution, training of medical staff, treatment of side effects, large scale disposal of needles, cultural education to counter misconceptions? Is it halal?
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Dec 08, 2020 08:48am
@Himmat, good for.you.
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Dec 08, 2020 09:02am
@Hwh, "Iron(ic) brother will not even give the empty syringe in free."
No. When Alvi visited Wuhan, he was given few disposable mask free.
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Dec 08, 2020 09:04am
Chinese vaccine.... First ensure vaccine have medicine inside......
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Dec 08, 2020 09:46am
Why Indians are on fire??
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Dec 08, 2020 12:01pm
A strategic alliance with China will only grow stronger as each years passes. Every neg of from so call neg speakers is positive energy for SinoPak nothing will get in the way as all problem can and will be resolved by sitting on the table and talks.
SinoPak Iron Brothers 4 Life!
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Dec 08, 2020 12:43pm
None of the vaccines are safe-Eastern, western, Indian, Russian or Chinese. First I would like to see their data. Without data in a peer reviewed journal, it is not trustworthy.
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Dec 08, 2020 01:17pm
will you mind telling us why haven't we bought vaccines from while countries like Bangladesh and Indonesia have secured contracts? why there are people dying from inefficient and in appropriate medical practices? & how do you expect to receive a vaccine in the 1st quarter while late stage trials have been still going on country?
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Dec 08, 2020 01:50pm
@bhaRAT©, What makes you happy? Go for it.
It was a show of confidence and optimism, and you find a reason to deride Modi.
In fact you should have scolded IK for his unscientific and unproven Smart lock down and Pakistan fell flat believing him.
Shameless.
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Dec 08, 2020 02:06pm
@Siddhartha, "Without data in a peer reviewed journal, it is not trustworthy." You are correct, but the race to get the first one and to be able to show some positive result is too competitive. In this environment, prudence will be seen as mediocrity. Trustworthiness is a secondary matter, the media will take care of it, they will make you believe. Trust me (no pun intended)!!!
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Dec 08, 2020 03:59pm
@Rashid, because somalia,uganda etc might give vaccine to Pakistan but not India thats why.
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Dec 08, 2020 04:01pm
@Imtiaz Ali Khan, but dont you think Pakistan is mostly dependent on China only for everything without any alternative. In world politics ,brothers for life ,iron brother friendship does not exist,the only thing required is how much muscle can you flex with that "economy" of yours?
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Dec 08, 2020 04:46pm
First, use Chinese Vaccine and then use the Chinese test kit. You will not even find a single positive case
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