Vero Cell and J&J vaccines being administered across country from today

Published On: July 13, 2021 11:03 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, July 13: The government is administering the first dose of vaccine against COVID-19 from Tuesday. The vaccines — Vero Cell from China and Johnson & Johnson from America -- will be administered in all 77 districts from Tuesday, said director general of the Department of Health Service under the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Dipendra Raman Singh.

The Department has separated the targeted group to be vaccinated with the Vero Cell and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

The Vero Cell vaccine will be administered to all citizens from 55 years and above, he added. Similarly, professors, teachers, employees, drivers and helpers of public transport will also be vaccinated. The Vero Cell vaccine will be administered to those who missed to get the shots of the vaccine, who are deputed for the delivery of essential services determined by the government, and those Nepalis going to countries where vaccination has been made mandatory.

Likewise, all citizens from 50-54 years, citizens with total and severe disability and refugees currently living in Nepal will be vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson vaccine which requires only a single dose.

He further said that health workers working at health institutions, sanitation workers and those who missed to be vaccinated earlier will get the vaccine.

Out of the total population of the country, 2.611 million people have got the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines while 1.413 million have been inoculated with the second dose as well.