Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to Jointly Begin Vaccine Production by 2030: Health Minister

Islamabad: Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal has announced that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will jointly begin the production of vaccines by 2030, with special committees already formed to advance the initiative.

According to Express News, the issue of the PIMS Burn Center came under discussion during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Health, where Health Minister Mustafa Kamal briefed members on matters related to preventive vaccination.

He informed the committee that Pakistan will produce vaccines with the support of Saudi Arabia, adding that both countries have constituted special committees to oversee vaccine manufacturing. A Saudi delegation is also expected to visit Pakistan later this month to hold further discussions on the matter.

The health minister revealed that Pakistan’s first-ever National Vaccine Policy has also been finalized. He said the government is currently providing 13 vaccines free of cost to children across the country, and the cervical cancer vaccine has now been included in the routine immunization program.

Mustafa Kamal stated that Pakistan is presently receiving vaccines with the support of global partners. He explained that the country’s annual vaccine requirement stands at 114 million doses, while international assistance for vaccine supply will end by 2030. Currently, Pakistan imports vaccines worth approximately $400 million annually.

He further said that after 2030, Pakistan would need to import vaccines worth $1.2 billion annually. To avoid this heavy financial burden, Pakistan will start local vaccine production in collaboration with Saudi Arabia before 2030.