KATHMANDU: China has said that it is providing 300,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines in grant assistance to Nepal.
In response to a question from journalists about the donation of Chinese vaccines, the Embassy of China in Kathmandu said that the Chinese government has decided to provide 300,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines in grant assistance to Nepal, which would benefit 150,000 Nepali people.
The vaccine going to be donated is developed by Sinopharm and has already got conditional marketing approval in China, according to a statement of the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu.
More than 24 million doses have been administered by January 31st, said Chinese Embassy.
“China and Nepal are good neighbors, good friends and good partners. facing whatever challenges like the earthquake and the pandemic, the two countries have always supported and helped each other through thick and thin,” read the statement.
“In order to implement President Xi Jinping’s solemn commitment that China will make its vaccines a global public good once available, and on the request of the Nepali government，the Chinese government has decided to provide 300,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines in grant assistance to Nepal, which would benefit 150,000 Nepali people,” the statement noted.
Despite huge demands for the vaccines both in China domestically and across the world at present, the Chinese government has prioritized Nepal in providing the vaccines, fully demonstrating the great importance it attaches to the China-Nepal friendship, said Chinese Embassy.
After a two-dose inoculation procedure, the vaccine showed 79.34% efficacy against COVID-19, and the seroconversion rate of neutralizing antibodies reached 99.52%, according to the statement.
The safety and effectiveness of the vaccine has surpassed the marketing standards of the World Health Organization, and received wide recognition by other countries.
So far, the vaccine has got licenses for marketing or approval for emergency use in 13 foreign countries including Pakistan, the UAE, Egypt, Hungary, etc.
According to the statement, the Chinese Embassy is coordinating with relevant Nepali authorities on the registration for emergency use and receipt of the vaccine and would like to deliver the vaccines to the Nepal side at the earliest so as to help Nepal win the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Chinese side is willing to work together with the Nepali side to build a community of health for all and further strengthen and promote the strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity between the two countries,” it added.
China’s announcement to provide Nepal vaccines comes after the Indian government gifted 1 million doses of vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India last week. Nepal is administering the Indian-gufted vaccines to the frontline responders in the first phase.
