Elderly woman visit a vaccination centre to get vaccines against COVID-19 in Tarakeshwor Municipality-8, Kathmandu district, on July 14, 2021. Photo: Prasan Gurung/Nepalnews

The government has kept the vaccination drive on the top priority to prevent people from the COVID-19 infection. Further, the government has planned to inoculate people above 18 years free of cost.

The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has also informed that the vaccines have also been dispatched to many districts. Some of the districts have continued with the vaccination drive with the Vero Cell vaccines brought from China. However, the vaccination has been postponed in a few districts in order to continue the drive in the next phase. In the notice issued by the MoHP, it has also been stated that the next phase of the vaccination drive will be continued from Sunday.

As per the ministry, those who will be vaccinated with Vero Cell includes people above 55 years who have not received any vaccine; teachers, lecturers and other staff at schools and universities; public transportation workers; people who have been involved in essential services and Nepali nationals bound to go abroad where vaccines are mandatory.

Likewise, Janssen single-dose vaccines will be given to the people in the age group of 50 to 54 years who have not been vaccinated yet; persons with disabilities (divided into groups 'Ka' and 'Kha'); the refugees staying in Nepal; health professionals and other utility workers at health institutions.

It has been stated that the vaccination programme will be carried out regularly based on the priority given to different groups of people.

The Ministry has further urged all to visit the respective vaccination centre with identity cards showing the age to get vaccinated turn by turn avoiding the crowds.

It has been made clear that more vaccines will arrive from China on July 21 and later from other countries including which the country will have received a total of 3.2 million doses of vaccines by July 30. The vaccines will also be imported from other countries on regular basis.

Deputy Spokesperson for the Health Ministry, Samir Kumar Adhikari has also informed that the second dose of Covishield has also been arranged for people above 65 years and will be available in a few days.

The ministry has further urged all to keep patience and support to make the vaccination drive successful.