Since Covishield is not available, two options are recommended for Covax. Nepal will get 13 million vaccines under Covax.

The Vaccine Advisory Committee has recommended the government to demand the vaccination of Johnson & Johnson of the United States and Oxford-Astrageneca produced in other countries as an alternative to Covishield in the vaccine facility available under Covax.

The covishield vaccine against corona virus, developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca and produced by India’s Serum Institute of India, is not immediately available to Covax.

Covax has given Nepal till June 1 to name the vaccine as an alternative to Covishied. Nepal will get 13 million vaccines under Covax. Out of this, 348,000 doses have been received. Member of Vaccination Advisory Committee and Director of Family Welfare Division of Health Services Department Dr. Taranath Pokharel said that the low-cost vaccine is recommended as it can be kept at 2 to 8 degree Celsius. “As an alternative to Covishield, the Oxford-AstraZeneca formula produced in Johnson and other countries in the United States recommends that vaccines produced in other countries be given first priority,” said a member of the committee.

A National Vaccination Advisory Committee has been formed to advise on the need for immediate immunization program during natural calamities or epidemics. On behalf of the public health specialist or senior pediatrician in the committee. The members of the committee include the Head of Policy, Planning and International Coordination Division of the Ministry, Director of Family Welfare Division of Health Services Department, Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, representatives of Nepal Pediatric Society or designated society, epidemiologists, public health experts, health economists and senior pediatricians.

In Nepal, 1,823,663 people have been vaccinated with covishield. 1.5 million is left to apply the second dose. ‘There was a problem with the second dose as the Covishield India government was not likely to allow immediate export,’ said Dr. Pokharel said, “Now we don’t just rely on Covishield.”

The Department of Health Services has already made a proposal to purchase the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and the Sputnik-5 vaccine from Russia. ‘Both companies have sent positive responses,’ said the department’s head of supply. Bhim Singh Tinkari said, “The company has replied that it will send a representative for this.” Only one dose of Johnson vaccine is enough. The second dose may be applied after 12 weeks.