All vaccines have gone through clinical trials and approved by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), as well as WHO under Emergency Utilization Listing (EUL) and are good to use.
How will we know if COVID-19 vaccines are safe?
See full answerThere are many strict protections in place to help ensure that COVID-19 vaccines will be safe. Like all vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines have been and are being carried through a rigorous, multi-stage testing process, including large (phase III) trials that involved tens of thousands of people. These trials, which include people at high risk for COVID-19, are specifically designed to identify any common side effects or other safety concerns. If a clinical trial shows that a COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective, a series of independent reviews of the efficacy and safety evidence is required, including regulatory review and approval in the country where the vaccine is manufactured, before WHO considers a vaccine product for prequalification. Part of this process also involves a review of all the safety evidence by the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety.
Are the COVID-19 vaccines currently available in Pakistan, authenticated?
Yes, all vaccines procured and administered are approved by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
Are all vaccines made against viruses, including the COVID-19 vaccine?
No. There are different types of germs that cause infection, and vaccines are made accordingly. For example, diseases like tuberculosis, tetanus, pneumonia, meningitis, and diphtheria are caused by bacteria; vaccines available for these work against respective bacteria. Measles, hepatitis, chicken pox, influenza, and now COVID-19 are viral diseases, with vaccines available. A vaccine against malaria, which is caused by another type of germ (plasmodium), is under development.
