Pakistan has urged UNICEF to expedite the supply of vaccines after reports emerged that India has halted vaccine shipments to the country.
According to the Ministry of Health sources, Pakistan has requested UNICEF to resolve the matter promptly, and the global body has assured that the issue will be addressed soon.
Sources revealed that UNICEF purchased the vaccines from the Serum Institute of India. Over 17 million doses were bought for Pakistan, valued at more than PKR 27 billion. UNICEF paid 60% of the cost, while Pakistan contributed the remaining 40%. The vaccines were scheduled to be supplied to UNICEF by early July.
However, against the backdrop of strained Pakistan-India relations, the Indian company has reportedly started using delaying tactics. Initially, India was unaware that the vaccines purchased by UNICEF were intended for Pakistan, but once informed, it allegedly began deliberately delaying the supply.
The vaccines purchased for Pakistan include BCG, pentavalent, pneumonia, polio, typhoid, measles, rubella, and cholera vaccines.
