Government to procure over 10 million doses of anti-Covid vaccines by mid-October

The government is working to bring additional 10.5 million doses of anti-covid-19 vaccines by coming mid-October.

Speaking at the Education and Health Committee of the Parliament on Monday, Health Secretary Laxman Aryal informed that the government was preparing to bring additional 10.5 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccines by mid-October.

The Health Secretary further said those vaccines would be brought in Nepal under procurement, grants and COVAX facility.

Schedules have been arranged to bring additional 6 million doses of Vero Cell vaccine from China by the mid-September and one million doses of Covishield vaccine already purchased from Indian by 23 August.

Likewise, 1.6 million doses of Vero Cell granted by the government of China would arrive Nepal by the mid-August and another 1.6 million doses of Astrazeneca vaccine gifted by the government of Japan would be brought by 23 August. Later on, 3 hundred and 38 thousand doses of vaccine would arrive in Nepal under COVAX facility.

The Health Ministry has informed that the government has targeted to administer the covid-19 vaccines to 33 percent people of the target groups by mid-October, and to all the target groups by mid-April next year.

Meanwhile, Policy, Planning and Monitoring Division Chief of the Health Ministry Dr. Guna Raj Lohani informed that a total of 32.3 million doses of the anti-Covid 19 vaccines would be brought to Nepal by the mid-April next year.

Dr. Lohani also informed that the process had been forwarded to procure 6 million doses of Fizer vaccine for the children above 12 years.

He further warned the risk of third wave of the Covid-19 by the upcoming 1 October in Nepal due to relaxation of prohibitory orders and failure to enforce health safety measures.