Kathmandu, Jan 27: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has expressed gratitude to all, including doctors, nurses, health workers, sanitation workers and security persons, providing their services remaining at the frontline in the campaign against COVID-19.

In a message given on the occasion of the launching of the vaccination against COVID-19 today, the Head of State also expressed appreciation to the family members and the community who helped in creating a conducive environment for the front liners. In her message, the President thanked the scientists who conducted research and developed the vaccine as well as the vaccine producing countries and institutions, on the behalf of Nepal.

She also stated that Nepal is of the clear view that the vaccines should be distributed to all countries of the world at the appropriate price and in a fair manner.

Expressing her happiness that the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 has been started in Nepal within one and half month of the commencement of the same in the world, President Bhandari said with this Nepal has also become successful in enlisting itself in the list of countries providing vaccines to citizens in the first phase itself.

The President lauded the government's decision of vaccinating on a priority basis the people who are at high risk, including the health workers, at the frontline in the prevention and control of COVID-19 and providing treatment to the infected persons.

She also expressed the conviction that the Government of Nepal will make arrangements for providing vaccination in a phase-wise manner to all citizens needing to be inoculated.

Noting that the participation of all sectors of society, including the people's representatives, social workers, health workers, security personnel and media persons, was imperative for the success of the vaccination campaign, the President called upon one and all to contribute to the prevention and control of COVID-19 by compulsorily wearing the face masks, maintaining at least two metres distance between one another and applying sanitizer or washing hands with soap and water frequently.

"The global COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the human civilization and development. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their lives while tens of millions have been affected by this pandemic. Our country too was not spared. Effective vaccines have been developed and their production has also started due to the scientists' efforts aimed at controlling this pandemic. New hope and confidence has spread throughout the world from this," the President's message reads.