Japanese-made AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Kathmandu (August 7, 2021)

JEINF No.33-2021 

  

 

 (Kathmandu, August 7): The Japanese-made AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Kathmandu today. Ambassador Mr. KIKUTA Yutaka attended the hand-over ceremony at the Tribhuvan International Airport with the Hon. State Minister of Health and Population Mr. Umesh Shrestha, Joint Secretary of North East Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Lok Bahadur Thapa, Representative of UNICEF Nepal, Ms. Elke Wisch and WHO Representative to Nepal, Dr. Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav. This vaccine donation from Japan for Nepal through COVAX facility was announced by Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan on 13 July. Remaining half of 1.6 million doses pledged by Japan will be shipped to Kathmandu shortly, once the arrangements of the relevant organizations finalized.
 
At the hand-over ceremony, Ambassador Kikuta stated that this donation is “From the People of Japan for the Friendship with Nepal.” He also appreciated the cooperation of all the relevant organizations to achieve this, including the Government of Nepal and the international organizations such as COVAX, GAVI, WHO and UNICEF. He also mentioned that the Government of Japan strongly supports the vaccination campaign by Deuba administration, which is necessary for the progress of post-COVID Nepali society and its economic recovery. “We hope that this vaccine, together with other generous contributions from international community, will help Nepal to ease down various difficulties caused by the COVID-19,” Ambassador stated.
 
Japan has been providing various support for Nepal to tackle with the COVID-19 pandemic with medical equipment for Nepali hospitals to date, the Embassy of Japan will continue working together with Nepal to overcome the pandemic.