KATHMANDU: The government of Japan donates about 1.6 million doses of Japanese-made COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine for Nepal as a grant through COVAX facility, which is officially announced today by Mr Motegi Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan.
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.
His Excellency, Kikuta Yutaka, Ambassador of Japan stated 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. Ambassador hopes this vaccine will ease down various difficulties caused by the COVID-19 situation.
Regarding 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 vaccine will be 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.
The Embassy of Japan has been working with the Government of Nepal to tackle COVID-19 together by assisting Nepali hospitals with medical equipment in multiple ways. The Government of Japan stands with Nepal to overcome this pandemic and has been providing medical equipment under the Japanese Grant Aid, have confirmed to donate almost 300 oxygen generators, in addition to 25 blood gas analyzers and 25 portable ultrasound image diagnostic systems for the necessary medical care. Now 6 Made-in-Japan Ambulances are expected to be here by October to save more lives in the COVID-19 situation.