Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in reply to part (a) of the question, I am informed that since January 2021 to date, my Ministry has received 1,258,913 doses of COVID-19 vaccines as donations from friendly countries, namely People's Republic of China, India, France, United Arab Emirates, Republic of South Africa, United Kingdom and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as follows – • 100,000 doses of Covishield from India; • 100,000 doses of Sinopharm from People's Republic of China; • 5,000 doses of Hayat Sinopharm from UAE; • 50,400 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine from Republic of South Africa; • 1,170 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine from France; • 151,200 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine from Mastercard Foundation and Saving Lives and Livelihoods Initiative in partnership with Africa CDC; • 387,270 doses of Pfizer from United States; • 200,760 doses of Moderna from France; • 211,200 doses of paediatric Pfizer from UK; • 51,840 doses of Bivalent Pfizer from United States through Covax facility; • 20 doses of Pfizer vaccine in 2025 for Hajj pilgrims, and • 53 doses of Pfizer vaccine from United Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this year for Hajj pilgrims. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, regarding parts (b) and (b) (i) of the question, I am informed that some 2,708,940 doses of COVID-19 vaccines were purchased and delivered for COVID- 19 vaccination campaign in 2021 as follows – • 100,000 doses of Covishield from Serum Institute of India for a total amount of Rs21,149,472; • 200,000 doses of Covaxin from Bharat Technologies, the cost thereof was around Rs139,650,763; • 100,800 doses of AstraZeneca from COVAX Facility for the total cost of Rs17.17 million, including bank guarantee and other expenses; • 1,500,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine for total sum of Rs825 million; • 120,000 doses of Sputnik procured at the cost of Rs49,646,379; • 288,000 doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccine have been delivered in two instalments. Total cost incurred was Rs116,494,720, and • 400,140 doses of Pfizer had been delivered for total cost of Rs264 million. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in regards to part (b) of the question, out of 2,708,940 doses of COVID vaccines purchased and delivered, a total of 162,816 doses of vaccines have expired. The House may wish to note that a total of Rs987 million in respect of Johnson and Johnson's Pfizer and Sputnik vaccines was outstanding when I assumed office as Minister of Health and Wellness in 2024. Some 691,200 doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccines, which had never been delivered, but for which a contract agreement had been signed by the previous government, were expired and disposed of by Johnson and Johnson Vaccine Pharmaceuticals. Several negotiations have been carried out with the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust and Afrexim Bank to cancel the remaining doses. However, the negotiations were not fruitful and my Ministry is bound to pay the outstanding claims. As such, part payment to the tune of Rs170 million of the undelivered doses have been made during this financial year. An amount of Rs25 million is still outstanding in respect of Johnson and Johnson vaccine and same will be settled shortly. Similarly, we would have to pay an amount of Rs277 million for 599,040 undelivered doses of Pfizer in line with the contract agreement signed by the previous government. As a result, provisions are being made in the forthcoming budget to settle the outstanding claim. In case of an emergency, Pfizer will not provide any vaccine to us as no payment was effected by the previous government for the remaining doses.

Yes, you have one question? One last question. Time is over!

Yes. With regard to the undelivered doses which the Ministry had to pay, is the hon. Minister going to launch an inquiry to investigate, so as to bring all those who are at fault for the amount the Ministry has had to pay?

Well, this matter will be looked by the Attorney General's Office. But I have to inform the House that our Government has disbursed over Rs1 billion as far as these medications and vaccinations are concerned.

Time is over! Hon. Members, the Table has been advised that the following PQs have been withdrawn: B/828, B/829, B/830, B/831, B/833, B/834, B/837, B/839, B/841, B/842, B/843, B/844, B/847, B/848, B/851, B/853, B/857, and B/858. Time is over!

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