KATHMANDU, July 26: The Child Health and Immunization Section under the Family Welfare Division has stated that an additional 1.6 million Vero Cell vaccines brought from China will be used to inoculate people who are above 55 years of age. A total of 1.6 million doses of vaccine had arrived in Nepal on Thursday and Saturday.
Of these, 800,000 doses of vaccine in the first phase were distributed in only four provinces. The vaccination campaign was conducted in Province 2, Gandaki, Bagmati and Lumbini provinces. Provinces namely Karnali, Sudur Pashchim and Province 1, are yet to get the vaccines. After the launch of the Vero Cell vaccination campaign, Johnson & Johnson's vaccine will be provided to people below 50 years of age in the next phase.
After the vaccine was not sufficient, additional doses are being sent to fully vaccinate people above 55 years, Chief of Vaccination Branch Dr Jhalak Gautam said. In the case of those going for foreign employment, arrangements have been made to give Vero Cell vaccine from the remaining provinces and in the places where there is a shortage, he added.
Teachers, drivers, conductors and cleaners and people over the age of 55, who missed out the Vero Cell vaccine, will now be included in the vaccination campaign. Director at the Family Welfare Division Dr Tara Nath Pokhrel said that they are ready to vaccinate people in the age group above 50 years if the vaccine is sufficient. An additional 1.6 million vaccines from China are yet to arrive in Nepal. In this regard, Nepal will receive 3.2 million doses of Vero Cell vaccines by mid-August.