By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Jan. 28: Vaccination drive against COVID-19 kicked off across the country from Wednesday.
Inaugurating the vaccination drive, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli committed to roll out the COVID-19 vaccines to all Nepalis free of cost within three months.
He said, “No one will be deprived of vaccination. It will be administered free of cost. Necessary budget to purchase the essential vaccines has already been arranged.”
He said that the immunisation drive was expected to complete within three months.
“We are purchasing additional COVID-19 vaccines from India in the coming days,” he said.
As the Prime Minister inaugurated the campaign, the vaccines were administered to all the prioritised frontline workers from 62 hospitals of all seven Provinces, 17 hospitals of the Kathmandu Valley and 120 vaccination centres.
The vaccination drive against COVID-19 began after Dr. Sagar Rajbhandari, director of Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku, received the first jab.
All these hospitals were connected at vaccination programme inaugurated by Prime Minister Oli through a virtual medium.
On the occasion, President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s message was read out. Through her message, President Bhandari expressed gratitude to all, including doctors, nurses, health workers, sanitation workers and security personnel for providing services remaining in the frontline in the campaign against COVID-19.
In her message given on the launching of the vaccination against COVID-19, President Bhandari also appreciated the family members and the community which helped in creating a conducive environment to the frontline workers in the fight against the disease.
Prime Minister Oli took the occasion to thank all those actively contributing to the campaign against COVID-19 in Nepal. He committed to administering vaccine to all Nepalis at the earliest.
Requesting all citizens to support the campaign against COVID-19, Prime Minister Oli wished the vaccine to boost immunity of the people.
He informed that coordination was maintained with other countries and international organisations to bring in the required vaccines.
The Prime Minister urged people to take precautions against the virus and added that the virus had made the society aware of using medicinal herbs to fight against diseases.
The government is serious about saving lives of the people in times of crisis, he said and wished for the recovery of all those who are fighting the disease.
Prime Minister Oli also extended condolences to the families of those who passed away due to COVID-19. Prime Minister Oli suggested not only relying on vaccination but also insisted on adopting the safety precautions.
On the occasion, Minister for Health and Population Hridayesh Tripathi informed that 12,000 people were getting vaccinated against the COVID-19 today.
The first phase of the campaign would be continued for 10 days, he said, adding that the second dose of the vaccine would be administered after 28 days.
The vaccine would be administered to 430,000 people under the first phase. Preparations have been made for administering vaccines through 300 vaccination centres in the 77 districts within January 31.
One million doses of vaccines were brought to Nepal from India under its ‘VaccineMaitri’ programme on January 21. Prior to completing the first phase vaccination campaign, the government is looking forward to bring the vaccines needed for the second phase. The government will also be regulating the immunisation process in order to prevent the wastage of the vaccines.
The ‘Covishield’ vaccine was developed jointly by Oxford University and AstraZeneca Company and was produced by Serum Institute in India. The District COVID-19 Vaccination Coordination Committee will monitor the vaccination in the respective districts.
In the first phase of the vaccination drive, frontliners including the sanitation workers and drivers of vehicles collecting and dumping the waste, the ambulance and mortuary van drivers and helpers, health workers providing direct treatment services or those health workers assigned for vaccination management will get the shots.
Similarly, security personnel and volunteers mobilised at the vaccination centres, people assigned for managing the dead bodies, women health volunteers, the health workers and other staff at the entry points at the international border and airport, people sheltered at the old-age home and their caregivers, the prison inmates and security personnel will get the shots.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Oli visited Birendra Military Hospital, Chhauni, Kathmandu, this afternoon to observe the Covishield vaccination programme run by the Nepali Army on its hospital’s premises.
According to the Directorate of Public Relations and Information of the Army Headquarters, the government has designated Birendra Hospital of the Nepali Army as a vaccination centre against COVID-19.