July 13: The government has resumed vaccination drive against coronavirus from today (July 13) after receiving vaccines provided by China and the USA. Under this campaign, vaccination will be given on priority basis. The Ministry of Health and Population is going to start vaccinating people prioritizing the age group of 50 to 60 years, including driver and helpers of public vehicles, university professors, teachers and foreign refugees.

According to the deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Population Dr. Samir Kumar Adhikari, the Chinese Vero Cell vaccine will be given to the people of age group of 55 to 60 years. Also, the same vaccine will be given to the people falling under the age group of 60 to 64 years, university professors, teachers, staff, public transport drivers and helpers.

Adhikari also informed that even if the vaccine is given on priority basis, health workers, security personnel and journalists working in the health sector can get vaccinated at the designated vaccination centers.

The ministry has decided to administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, received from the United States, on Monday to people with complete and severe disabilities, foreign refugees residing in Nepal, and health workers.

The Ministry of Health and Population has notified that the vaccines are being administered from the previously designated centers. In addition, citizens have been asked to produce documents issued by the government that would disclose their age in order to receive the vaccination.

The government purchased 4 million doses of vaccine from China. In the first phase, 800,000 doses of Vero Cell were brought to the country on Friday. Similarly, 1534,850 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccines arrived in Nepal on Monday under the Covax facility.

Stating that the vaccines purchased from China will arrive in Nepal every week, the Dr Adhikari said that the process is underway to purchase more vaccines. "We are looking for alternatives to the India-made Covishield vaccine," he said, "In addition, initiatives are being taken with other countries to purchase more vaccines."

Till date, 26,11,000 people have been given the first dose of vaccination, whereas 10,41,000 people have already received the second dose of vaccination as well.