The Nepalese government started using Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine, donated by the United States, in the national immunization drive from this week. In the capital Kathmandu, authorities have also started a special drive to inoculate persons with disabilities.

The special drive started from Tuesday at the Nepal Disabled Association’s office in Kathmandu using single-shot J&J vaccine provided by the US government to Nepal under COVAX facility came as a big respite for the country which was reeling under shortage of Covid-jabs.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccines are currently given to people aged between 50-54 years, migrant workers apart from people with disabilities. However, media reports showed many people beyond these categories too received the shots. 

Since Johnson & Johnson is a single-dose vaccine, many local influential people pressured health workers in getting the vaccines. Following this, many centers ran out of vaccines. 

The government has been vaccinating outbound workers on a priority basis as many countries, which are popular work destinations for migrant workers, have introduced a vaccine visa policy. 

Remittances sent by these workers support the country’s economy in a big way, especially when the domestic job market is yet to recover from the Covid shock. 

(SAM)