KATHMANDU, July 28: The Government of France has just delivered 702,720 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech’s bivalent COVID-19 vaccines to Nepal through the COVAX Facility, offering a boost to the country’s ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive.

France had previously donated 685,400 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to Nepal through COVAX Facility in 2022, and more recently, 195,840 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech’s bivalent vaccines as part of a joint Team Europe donation in April 2023.

While Nepal currently sees relatively low numbers of daily new COVID-19 infections, the Government of Nepal is still running the vaccination programme, given the continued need to protect communities. This is particularly crucial for vulnerable populations such as those with compromised immunity, existing health issues, the elderly, and pregnant women, among others.

“On behalf of the COVAX partners, UNICEF extends gratitude to the Government of France for the latest donation of COVID-19 vaccines to Nepal,” said Alice Akunga, UNICEF Representative to Nepal, adding, “This contribution is testament to the critical role of global solidarity and partnership in the fight against COVID-19, and in ensuring a safer, healthier future for all.”

The COVAX Facility is part of the ACT-Accelerator, and brings together several key partners such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO and UNICEF to ensure efficient and equitable global allocation of COVID-19 vaccines.

 
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