KATHMANDU, JULY 13

Japan has announced that it will provide about 1.6 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Nepal through the vaccine sharing scheme COVAX.

The news has brought much needed respite for the senior Nepali citizens who, following months of uncertainty, have now been assured of receiving the second booster dose.

Close to 1.30 million Nepalis above the age of 65 that had received the first dose of AstraZeneca (Covishield) in March, have yet to receive the second dose owing to India's ban on export of Covid-vaccines.

According to the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu, the exact shipping schedule will be confirmed once the procurement arrangement will be finalized by the international organization which is in charge of the matter.

The Embassy, in a press release issued today, also stated that for these Japanese-made AstraZeneca vaccines, the Embassy would like to coordinate with the Ministry of Health and Population of Nepal for the necessary arrangements of receiving and using them for the COVID-19 vaccination campaign of Nepal. Those Japanese-made AstraZeneca vaccines will effectively assist the second injection of elderly people who already had the first vaccination of Covisheld, the AstraZeneca-type vaccine produced by Serum Institute of India. Furthermore, they would be also useful to proceed the vaccination campaign for the young generations who are not yet vaccinated.

This is a reflection of long time friendship of Nepal toward Japan. He welcomes the decision by Tokyo as the vaccine is urgently needed to save lives of many Nepali people, Kikuta Yutaka, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal stated in the statement.

'The Government of Japan stands with Nepal to overcome this pandemic and has been providing assistance under Japanese grant aid. Furthermore, Japan has also confirmed to donate almost 300 oxygen generators, 25 blood gas analyzers, 25 portable ultrasound image diagnostic systems for the necessary medical care,' the statement read.

A total of six 'Made in Japan' ambulances are expected to be in the country by October.

As many as 11 million doses of AstraZeneca are being channeled to Asian countries including Nepal, as confirmed by Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi amid a presser.

Bangladesh, Cambodia, Iran, Laos, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, as well as various Pacific Island states would receive the vaccines, Motegi confirmed.

Japan has pledged $1 billion and 30 million doses to COVAX.

As per the Japanese government, the AstraZeneca vaccines made in Japan have been approved by the World Health Organization on July 9 for use in COVAX.

The country's coronavirus caseload reached 657,139 with the detection of 1,690 new cases, the ministry said on Sunday. Of the total cases, 621,027 people have recovered so far.

The countrywide COVID-19 death toll increased to 9,400 with 18 more fatalities.