Nepal

Covid-19 booster campaign unrolls in Kathmandu valley a day later than scheduled, 'logistical-confusion' affects jab-drive in Nepal

By THT Online

FILE-Thousands of people wait in a line to get a jab of different vaccines as Omicron variant surges owing to the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic at Teku Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal on Sunday, January 16, 2022. Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT

KATHMANDU, JANUARY 17

The campaign to administer booster (additional) dose of Covid-19 vaccine to eligible receivers has begun today, a day later than scheduled.

Fully vaccinated frontline workers are receiving the jabs across various inoculation centres in the three valley districts.

'Logistical-confusion' had lead to the delay in unrolling the drive across the country on Sunday, as originally intended.

Nepal government, through its recent most cabinet decision, had announced that the booster-campaign would begin on January 16, beginning with the Frontline workers, and had issued a circular to all seven provinces and 77 districts along the lines.

However, on the purported day, designated authorities were unable to carry out the programme as they faced logistical hassles to start administering the booster doses, despite being directed to do so by the Family Welfare Department under the Health Ministry.

Read Also: Sudurpashchim has 'zero stock' of Covid-19 vaccines as booster campaign unrolls

Meanwhile, several vaccination centres in the country are struggling with vaccine supply and other prerequisites in a bid to launch the drive.

Earlier on Sunday, Minister for Health and Population Birodh Khatiwada had said the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 was going ahead with high priority.

Speaking in a press meet organised by the Socialist Press Organization Morang here on Monday, he had said, 'The government has the policy of conducting the vaccination programme in a more effective manner in all the seven provinces by preparing the schedule.'

The Health Minister had stated that there was no problem regarding the vaccination against COVID-19 since 40 million doses of vaccines were in stock.

Read More: COVID-19 vaccination campaign going ahead with priority: Health Minister