The first batch of anti-COVID-19 vaccines donated by the Government of Japan arrived in Kathmandu today.

Japan has pledged to provide 1.6 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine via the COVAX programme, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Earlier, the ministry said the second batch would arrive on Sunday.

Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, Kikuta Yutaka handed the vaccines over to State Minister for Health and Population Umesh Shrestha, at Tribhuvan International Airport.

The AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured in Japan is equivalent to Covishield made in India. The vaccine will be administered to the senior citizens who have been waiting for the second dose of Covishield.

The Foreign Ministry has expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Japan for providing the vaccines.