Pakistan is expecting to complete the clinical trial of a Covid-19 vaccine in the current week.

While critics said the country should have pre-booked the vaccine, some experts are of the opinion that by the end of the first quarter of the year, tens of options will be available for the procurement of vaccine.

In August last year, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) gave a nod to hold the clinical trial of Covid-19 vaccine prepared by the Chinese CanSino company in the country. The trial started in September. In December, it was decided to increase the sample size from 10,000 to 18,000.

University of Health Sciences (UHS) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Javed Akram, who is also member of the Scientific Task Force on Covid-19, said the trial will be completed by the end of the week.

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