On Tuesday July 13, the First Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Population of Tajikistan, Ghafour Muhsinzoda, met with managers of the Chinese company Sinovac Biotech via video link to discuss issues related to procurement and the next delivery of an inactivated virus COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac to Tajikistan.  

Tajik Deputy Health Minister Ghafour Muhsinzoda

According to the press center of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population (MoHSPP), the parties discussed cost, conditions and terms of delivery of the vaccine to Tajikistan.  

Sinovac Biotech has developed the inactivated virus COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac, which is also known as the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine.

The parties reported agreed that the Chinese company would present a draft vaccine purchase agreement within the framework of bilateral cooperation with Tajikistan.    

The health ministry says the vaccine will be paid for within the project, Supporting COVID-19 Vaccination through the Vaccine Access Fund in Asia Pacific.  A total cost of the project is 26.8 million US dollars, including a US$25 million grant awarded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and US$1.8 million provided by the Government of Tajikistan.

The project was reportedly launched this year and it is planned to be completed in 2023.  

UNICEF has been selected as a procurement agency, thrugh which the vaccine will be purchased and delivered to Tajikistan.