Covishield, the vaccine against COVID-19 has arrived in Karnali province from the central government on Monday night. A total of 24,000 vials of the vaccine were transported to Karnali via the Nepalgunj cold store after it was received from Kathmandu.
The provincial health directorate is initiating the vaccination program from tomorrow. A total of 12 hospitals in Karnali have been designated as the vaccination centres, said the Director of the directorate Dr Rabin Khadka. These include eight district hospitals and the provincial hospital in Birendranagar, Mehelkuna hospital, Surkhet, the Karnali Institute of Health Sciences, Jumla and Chaurjahari Community Hospital, West Rukum.
The arrangement has been made to airlift the vaccine to the mountain districts of Karnali, namely Humla, Jumla, Mugu, and Dolpa. The vaccine will also be delivered to other districts via road from the provincial headquarters, Birendranagar.
The vaccine will be administered in two doses with the second being administered after 28 days of the first dose, Khadka said. The province plans to inoculate frontline workers including health workers, cleaning staff, security persons involved in body management, ambulance drivers, and women health volunteers.
According to the latest statistics of the Social Development Ministry, a total of 7,495 people in the province have tested positive for the coronavirus, with 29 deaths so far.
Source: RSS
