COVID vaccine to be imported thru COVAX facility

The government is making its final preparation for importing the anti-coronavirus vaccine, Covishield, through the COVAX facility within mid-March. 

The Ministry of Health and Population is all set to bring in the vaccine through COVAX facility in a way that would be adequate to innoculate 20 per cent of the total population. 

In-charge of the Child Health and Vaccination Section under the Department of Health Services, Dr Jhalak Sharma Gautam shared that the 'Covishield' vaccine would arrive by the end of March as all the processes required to that end have been completed. 

The vaccine manufacturing company, COVAX, will send the vaccines to be administered to 20 per cent of the population at different times, he added. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Vaccine Alliance (GOVI) are providing the vaccine to less income countries free of cost. 

COVAX is sending the 'Covishield vaccine as it is approved by the WHO for administration. 

The government a few days back proceeded towards the procurement of two million doses of Covishield vaccine and the vaccine will come in the next few days and it will be administered to people above 55 years of age from coming March 7. 

Similarly, the Government of China has announced to provide 500 doses of anti-COVID vaccine to the government. The vaccine named' Vero Cell' has been already listed by the Department of Drug Administration (DDA).  

The vaccination drive to continue until Monday

Likewise, the ongoing first-phase of the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 will continue until coming Monday and people on the second priority list will be entitled to the vaccine. The campaign which was earlier said to be over on Friday got extended by two days, Dr Gautam said. 

Districts-based government offices employees, local level office bearers and employees, financial institutions' staff, journalist and front line workers are taking vaccines in the ongoing campaign. So far, 384,000 have taken the vaccine.