Minister Khatiwada launches COVID-19 vaccination drive for children

KATHMANDU, Dec 19: Minister for Health and Population Birodh Khatiwada has launched COVID-19 vaccination campaign for school children today.  

Minister Khatiwada formally rolled out the vaccination campaign from the Hetauda Sub metropolis-based Bhutandevi Secondary School in Makwanpur. 

Under the latest drive, children aged between 12 and 17 are being administered the US-made Moderna vaccines. 

On the occasion, Khatiwada announced that no Nepali citizen would be deprived of COVID-19 vaccine, according to his press advisor Shantaram Bidari. 

He said the campaign would continue until it covers all eligible children. It is said arrangements have been mostly made from the district level for the vaccination. 

The government campaign to vaccinate children aged 12 to 17 kicked off in 57 districts of seven provinces on Sunday itself. 

In the case of eight districts of three provinces, the campaign will be held on December 28-January 6, 2022 and the Pfizer vaccine will be given in those districts. They are Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Kavre, Sindhuli, and Chitwan in the Bagmati Province, Surkhet of Karnali Province and Dadeldhura of Sudur Paschim Province.  

As per the government’s vaccination schedule, the second dose will be given from January 18 to 27, 2022.   

A committee comprising the Chief District Officer and the local government head has been formed to establish the vaccination center within the school.  In schools having a smaller number of students, a center will be set up for two-three schools, it is said.