Govt administering Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from today: Things to know

KATHMANDU, November 14: The government is administering the Pfizer vaccines against COVID-19 in Nepal from Sunday. 

The vaccine will be administered to people with chronic diseases and who are older than 12 years old.

According to Sagar Dahal, chief of the Immunization Section under the Department of Health Service, the Pfizer vaccine, received in a grant from the COVAX facility, will be administered to more than 50,000 people with chronic diseases.

Those receiving the first dose will be administered the second dose within 21 to 28 days of receiving their first dose.

Earlier, Nepal received 100,620 doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines from COVAX.

It has been made mandatory to possess a medical report of chronic disease issued by hospitals or medics to receive the vaccine.

The vaccination drive will be conducted in 24 vaccine centers including eight in Kathmandu Valley and 16 out of the valley.

Who can receive the vaccine?

1) Those who underwent heart surgery and heart patients

2) Kidney patients

3) Cancer patients

4) Lungs patients

5) Those who underwent any sort of organ transplant

6) High blood pressure and diabetes patients

7) Those with compromised immunity

8) Those suffering from brain diseases

Vaccine centers for Pfizer vaccination in Kathmandu Valley:

1) Bir Hospital

2) TU Teaching Hospital

3) Civil Hospital

4) Sahid Gangalal Hospital

5) Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital

6) Patan Hospital

7) Sahid Dharmabhakta National Transplant Center

8) Birendra Sainik Hospital

Vaccination centers outside of the valley

1) Mechi Hospital

2) BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences

3) Janakpur Hospital

4) BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital

5) Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences

6) Lumbini Provincial Hospital

7) Bheri Hospital

8) Koshi Hospital

9) Gajendra Narayan Singh Institute of Health Sciences

10) Dadeldhura Hospital

11) Rapti Institute of Health Sciences

12) Karnali Provincial Hospital

13) Seti Hospital

14) Dhulikhel Hospital 

15) Dhaulagiri Hospital

16) Narayani Hospital

Possible side effects of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

- swelling, pain and redness in arm

- headache, fever and chills

- muscles and joints pain

-loss in appetite and nausea

- tiredness

These symptoms will last only for two to three days after receiving the vaccine, according to the health ministry.

To reduce pain and discomfort where the shot is given, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States of America recommends:

- Applying a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the area

- Using or exercising your arm

To reduce discomfort from fever

- Drinking plenty of fluids

- Dressing lightly