The outbreak of COVID-19 had a huge impact on Pakistan. From many people getting tested positive to many people passing away, it has been disastrous. The ray of hope showed up when the government announced the availability of vaccines for everyone above 60. Sinopharm Vaccines have been given to anyone above 60 who registered themselves. It was followed by the registration of vaccines for people above 50. Healthcare staff also got vaccinated. And now, vaccines are also being given privately.

Sinopharm Vaccine

Sinopharm Vaccine is from a Beijing-based biopharmaceutical company. It takes action by the use of killed viral particles to expose the body’s immune system to the virus. This also ensures that there isn’t any serious disease response. This virus uses the traditional way which has also being used to treat rabies. Therefore, these types of vaccines have been used widely earlier and the response is certain. This vaccine can be stored in a standard refrigerator at 2-7 degrees Celsius. This makes it easy to export to other countries.

This vaccine has been donated by China. It has been given to healthcare workers and individuals above 60 who registered for it. It will also be given to individuals above 50 who have applied for it.

Sputnik V Vaccine

Sputnik vaccine has been developed by the Himalaya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow, Russia. This is a viral vector vaccine. These are similar to the AstraZeneca vaccine and the J&J vaccine. These types of vaccines are easier to manage than mRNA vaccines. It is essential to store mRNA vaccine at a very low temperature that makes its transport hard.
In the Sputnik V vaccine, harmless viruses are used. For example like an inactive cold virus. These deliver the genetic code for spike proteins that are used by coronavirus pathogen to attach themselves to the body. The vaccinated human body will recognize these as alien substances and create antibodies and specific T-cells. These both are essential for immunity. Two shots are required for this vaccine. Two different types of cold virus cells are used in each shot.

Sputnik V Vaccine has been privately imported by Russia. It is also known as the Russian COVID-19 Vaccine. Pakistan privately imported 50,000 doses and is available for commercial sale. It is being given for Rs.12,000 for two doses. Pakistan is one of the few countries to allow the private imports of vaccines.

Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine

The Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is a viral vector vaccine used for the prevention of COVID-19. This vaccine was developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca. It is given to individuals by intramuscular injection. This vaccine requires two doses. It is made from the weak version of a common cold virus, adenovirus. It can be stored easily in a refrigerator for 6 months. It is easier to manage its transport. Pakistan has secured 7 million doses of the Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine.

Pakistan will also be producing China’s COVID-19 vaccine soon. It will be the CanSinoBio vaccine. China has agreed to technology for the vaccine to Islamabad. The raw material will be sent to Pakistan by the end of April. The Chinese team is already in Pakistan to oversee the project at the National Institute of Health. Pakistan is also set to receive millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses from different companies. This will boost up the vaccination process.