KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has directed the Ministry of Health and Population to immediately import enough COVID-19 vaccines to inoculate all Nepali citizens.
Addressing the ninth meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) at his official residence in Baluwatar on Monday, Prime Minister Deuba expressed worry about the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant of coronavirus and its ability to infect already vaccinated individuals. “The Health Ministry should promptly look where vaccines against this virus are available and how we can procure them. There should be no delay in this,” he said.
Noting Nepal’s response to the previous waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the Prime Minister added, “The World Health Organisation had also praised Nepal’s actions in the fight against the coronavirus. But this new variant has begun plaguing the country. We all must be vigilant and work to defeat it.”
Prime Minister Deuba also emphasised the need for everyone to be aware and follow the government’s health protocol to protect themselves from the virus. “It is important to explain to everyone that they can keep the coronavirus at bay if they take precautions like social distancing.”