Washington DC (USA), May 30 : President Bidya Devi Bhandari has written a letter to her American counterpart Joseph R Biden requesting to support COVID-19 vaccines to Nepal.

The letter by the President was handed over to Senior Advisor of the US State Department, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Ervin Massinga by Nepali Ambassador to the US Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada here on Friday.   

 
Handing over the letter, Ambassador Khatiwada apprised Senior Advisor Massinga of the present situation of Nepal and its plan for vaccination against COVID-19. He also said that Nepal had high hopes of receiving the Astrazeneca vaccines from the US government.   

 
Referring to the long-held bilateral relations between Nepal and the US, he said Nepal also expected significant support from the US in its fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Khatiwada also shared Nepal's plan to procure Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines from the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.  

  
In reply, senior Advisor Massinga said the US government will expedite the process relating to the vaccines.

Expressing sympathy towards the damage caused by Corona Virus in Nepal, Massinga said efforts shall be made to provide vaccines that Nepal would receive under COVAX initiative and under bilateral agreement as soon as possible.