By Mahima Devkota, Kathmandu, July 5: The COVAX Facility was to deliver 1.92 million vaccine doses to Nepal by the end of May 2021, but, even after over a month of the stipulated time, Nepal is nowhere to receive the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

The goal of the COVAX Facility was to supply Nepal with enough doses to vaccinate 20% of the population depending on funding availability.

COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access, abbreviated as COVAX, is a worldwide initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines directed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and the World Health Organization

According to Dr. Krishna Prasad Poudel, spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Population and also Director at the Epidemiology and Communicable Disease Control Division, Nepal has been listed as one of the countries to receive Johnson & Johnson vaccine via COVAX facility.

So far, Nepal has received a total of 348,000 doses of Covidshield vaccine, which has been produced by the Serum Institute of India and developed by Oxford AstraZeneca, via Covax facility in Nepal, Dr. Poudel told The Rising Nepal.

“Apart from it, Nepal has not received any other vaccines via COVAX facility. We have not received any other information in line with a number of vaccines to be received or the arrival of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines,” added Dr. Poudel.

The other vaccines against COVID-19 require two doses, but the Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only one dose. The government of Nepal tried to buy directly from Johnson & Johnson's company but did not receive a positive response from the company. But, Nepal is supposed to receive the same vaccine via COVAX facility.