Saudi Arabia bars travellers who received China-made vaccine, tensions rise for Pakistan

Tensions escalate for Pakistan as Saudi Arabia becomes one of nations that do not recognise COVID-19 vaccination certificates of China-me jabs even though Sinopharm and Sinovac are registered with World Health Organization (WHO). Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on June 6 said that Prime Minister Imran Khan is “personally looking into” kingdom’s non-acceptance of Chinese vaccine along with a few or nations in Middle East. As per Dawn report, jabs recommended in Saudi Arabia for use are ones me by Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. 

Evidently worried about kingdom’s decision, Rashid said in a press conference in Islamab as per ANI, “[ PM] has also told cabinet that he is in touch with (Middle Eastern) countries concerned in this regard. Sinopharm is a great vaccine and I salute Chinese’ cooperation in this regard.” WHO granted emergency use listing to Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine developed by Beijing Bio-Insitute of Biological Products Co Ltd, which is a subsidiary of China National Biotec Group (CNBG).

Pakistan plans to inoculate people with Pfizer

In order to deal with Saudi demands of vaccination, earlier this week, Pakistani Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives As Umar h announced that certain people who are eir working abro on work visas, or students planning to study in such nations, or citizens willing to go for Haj, will be given Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. He also said that such exceptions will be given priority as Pfizer jabs are limited in Pakistan. As per Dawn report, Umar also warned that nations refusing to accept vaccination certificates of Chinese vaccines would create a problem for entire world. 

“If every country makes it mandatory for visitors to be inoculated by ir choice of vaccine [brands], entire world would suffer,” he h reportedly said before ding that China’s COVID-19 vaccines were most exported brands in world at moment. Even though China’s vaccines are approved by United Nations (UN) health agency, concerns over efficacy of jabs still loom on several governments. In a rare mission, China’s Centres for Disease Control in April h said that efficacy of Chinese coronavirus vaccines is “not high” as y may require improvements, as per ANI.

IMAGE: AP