In collaboration with China, Pakistani experts have conducted a successful trial of a vaccine to combat coronavirus and the good news is expected in a couple of months.

According to sources, a total of 5,000 people – 2,500  from Islamabad, 1,400 from Karachi and 800 from Lahore –  were administered the vaccine and these people recovered from the deadly virus after being administered the vaccine.

The vice-chancellor of Shifa University said that the trial results could take three months as the antibodies test will be conducted 56 days after administering the vaccine. Dr Iqbal said the trial is underway in Russia, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Canada as well.  

Reportedly, Prime Minister’s Taskforce on Science and Technology Chairman  Dr Attaur Rehman said on 10th that the Pfizer vaccine being celebrated worldwide was unsuitable for Pakistan.

 “This vaccine is not suitable for Pakistan in my opinion,” the former head of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) told a news channel, stressing that it was too early to celebrate the Pfizer vaccine news. 

He insisted that focus must be on other vaccines which are being developed and have seen similar results but haven’t been announced with fanfare. They are working quietly Dr Attaur Rehman said.

He explained saying that he was cautious because he believes that the vaccine has five problems to deal with right now – the first is that the FDA has not given the approval, the regulatory bodies have to approve and will take two months. He stressed that the vaccine needs to be kept at a temperature of -80 °C, which was a major problem for third world countries, including Pakistan, as the states do not have the cold chain.