KATHMANDU, JULY 19

Nepal on Monday started the inoculation campaign of Johnson and Johnson vaccine, the third COVID-19 jab approved for public use in the country.

On July 12, a shipment of 1.5 million doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccine donated by the United States arrived in Nepal at the time when the country is facing a severe shortage of anti-Covid jabs

The single-shot J&J vaccine provided by the US government to Nepal under COVAX facility came as a big respite for the country.

The vaccine is the third to become approved for inoculation in the country after Covishield (AstraZeneca) and Vero Cell, and the first that requires only one shot.

On July 13, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City had publicised names of centres designated for administering shots of Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines, which, as mentioned above, began today.

The vaccines can be received free of cost at 18 different vaccine centres including Bir Hospital, Tribhuvan University Hospital, Civil Hospital, Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital (STIDH), HAMS Hospital, among others, as decided by the authorities.

Designated vaccination booths in Kathmandu:

- Bir Hospital, Ratna Park

- TU Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj

- Civil Services Hospital, Baneshwor

Sukraraj Tropical & Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku

- Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital, Thapathali

- Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal

- Nepal Police Hospital, Maharajgunj

- Birendra Military Hospital, Chhauni

- People's Dental and Genera Hospital, Sorhakhutte

- Himal Hospital, Gyaneshwor

- Om Hospital and Research Centre, Chabahil

- Chettrapati Free Clinic

- Janamaitri Hospital, Balaju

- Manmohan Hospital, Swoyambhu

- Kathmandu Model Hospital, Exhibition Road

- Hams Hospital and Research Centre, Dhumbarahi

- Sahid Gangalal Hospital, Bansbari

- National Hospital, Kalanki

- Ramghat Primary Health Centre

- Kantipur Hospital, Tinkune

- Radha Swami Isolation Centre, Samakhushi

- Stupa Hospital, Baudhha

Nepal's coronavirus caseload reached 667,109 with the detection of 1,223 new cases in the last 24 hours, the ministry said on Sunday. Of the total cases, 632,074 people have recovered so far.

The countrywide COVID-19 death toll increased to 9,550 with 23 more fatalities.