By Aasha Shah, Kathmandu, May 31: The one million doses of COVID-19 vaccines provided by the government of China under grant assistance will be administered to the citizens who have not received a single dose of vaccine yet.

The A330 wide-body aircraft of Nepal Airlines Corporation is flying to China at 11:30 pm today to bring the 800,000 doses of Vero Cell vaccines in the first phase.

The plane will land in Kathmandu at around 2:00 pm on Tuesday afternoon.

Dr. Jhalak Sharma Gautam, chief of the national immunisation programme under the Ministry of Health and Population said that the Vero Cell vaccine would be provided to those citizens who have not received the jab yet.

He added that the immunisation campaign would be operated in all 77 districts. "Also, discussions are being held to vaccinate teachers and drivers with the first dose of vaccine. However, no decision has been made yet," said Dr. Gautam.

He said that consultations were being held on whether or not to determine the priority group on the basis of age.

On May 26, President of China Xi Jinping had announced to provide Vero Cell vaccines to Nepal under grant assistance as requested by President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

Meanwhile, the MoHP had called everyone above 18 years of age to fill-up the form to receive the first dose of vaccine against COVID-19.

Dr. Gautam said that preparations were being made to kick off the immunisation drive as soon as the ongoing second dose vaccination drive ends.