by Mahnoor Makhdoom

 

After the menace of Covid-19 took over the world, some major countries started to pool resources to develop effective vaccines against the virus. China, a pioneer in this regard, has been keeping a pretty low profile. 

 

After months of endeavor, China announced some of its vaccine candidates ready for phase III clinical trials to be conducted abroad in the second half of 2020 as China combated the virus efficiently at home and did not have enough cases to conduct the trials properly. The trials in Pakistan were announced to begin at the end of September, 2020 in three major cities. 

 

I was the first media person in Pakistan to participate in these trials - the thorough system in place made a great impression on me. Volunteers were briefed about the procedure and reassured constantly by the doctors and warned about mild side effects. Encouraged by my experience, I recommended my friends and family to take part in these trials too. 

 

Speaking to Dr. Umer, who was in charge of the trials in Islamabad, I was told that the CanSino vaccine has promising results and it’s a reliable option for Pakistanis as it has been tested on the local population. He affirmed that he had full confidence in this vaccine and many of the volunteers and the patients he interacted with were also hopeful about this vaccine. 

 

At the trial site in Islamabad, Arshad, a local bus driver, told China Economic Net, “I grew up hearing that China is Pakistan’s old friend and most genuine friend but I saw it being proven true when I lost my house in the earthquake in 2005 in Mansehra and was soon enough allotted a newly constructed house by China in their relief campaign. Now once again China has come to Pakistan’s rescue with the vaccine. My wife and I are here to help these trials move forward by volunteering to play our part in fighting in this battle and bringing this disease to an end.” 

 

So far, nearly 18000 people have been part of this trial that is heading towards a successful conclusion. 

 

China has supported Pakistan through the trying times with the constant flow of aid in masks, sanitizers, testing kits and now free vaccine shots. On January 31st, 2021, China gifted 500,000 Covid vaccine doses to Pakistan with a promise to have 1.1 million doses made available to Pakistan by the end of February. Moreover, just a week later Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) gifted a batch of vaccine doses to Pakistan Army.

 

The benefaction come as a rescue as the coronavirus has claimed nearly 12000 lives in Pakistan. With Chinese vaccine, Pakistani people are infused with hope to end this pandemic. They are also eager for more cooperation between the two countries against the virus in months to come.