Pfizer-BioNTech is an mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccine. An official at the Health Ministry said the government will duly follow the conditions set by the World Bank for taking loan to purchase Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. Nepal has decided to take a loan from the World Bank to purchase the American vaccine. Officials at the Health Ministry, meanwhile, said all necessary preparations have been completed for signing a procurement deal. However, the Cabinet returned the file twice to the Health Ministry.Įarlier, Nepal had purchased 10 million doses of Vero Cell vaccine with Chinese vaccine manufacturing company Sinopharm through a non-disclosure agreement. The government has decided to administer Covid-19 vaccine to all eligible people by mid-April next year.Įarlier on October 24, the Health Ministry had sent a proposal to the Cabinet for permission to purchase Pfizer vaccine through a non-disclosure agreement, as Nepal’s law does not allow such an agreement. “We are purchasing 10 million doses of two vaccines from American firms-4 million doses of Moderna and 6 million doses of Pfizer.”Įarlier, the government had signed a deal to purchase 4 million doses of Moderna vaccine.īoth Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are expected to arrive soon, officials at the Health Ministry said. “The Cabinet meeting has also given permission to make the payment directly to the vaccine manufacturing company through the Nepal Rastra Bank,” Birodh Khatiwada, Minister for Health and Population, told the Post.
A Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Monday approved a proposal of the Ministry of Health and Population to purchase 6 million doses of the vaccine under a non-disclosure agreement.