Kathmandu, Dec 14: In response to Russia’s offer of providing COVID-19 vaccine to Nepal, the government has written to the Russian Direct Investment Fund requesting additional documents about the vaccine.    

The government thanked Russia for the offer and sought comprehensive information about the offered vaccine when the ‘Omicron’ variant of COVID-19 is of global concern of the hour.    

The letter in this regard was sent to Fund CEO Kirill Alexandrovich Dmitriev recently, according to Health Secretary Dr Roshan Pokhrel.    

As the letter reads, the government requested additional documents about the offered vaccine as per the recommendation from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NAIC) at the Department of Health Sciences. The government further said it would propose the NAIC for further possibilities in regard to the import of Russia-manufactured vaccines upon receiving the documents.    

“The Government of Nepal is importing vaccine manufactured by different companies and having emergency used listing (EUL) by WHO. The situation of COVID-19 is coming under control in Nepal for now and we hope the situation remains under control worldwide,” the document adds.