Nepal approves Chinese vaccine ‘Vero Cell’ for emergency use

The government has given permission to the Chinese vaccine against the coronavirus ‘Vero Cell’ for emergency use in Nepal.

The vaccine made by the Chinese company Sinopharm was approved by the Department of Drug Administration (DDA) on Wednesday.

Earlier, DDA had given permission for the emergency use of the coronavirus vaccine ‘Covishield’ in Nepal.

The vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India was given conditional permission for emergency use.

It should be noted that despite Nepal’s concern about the efficiency and effectiveness of the Chinese vaccines against COVID-19 assured to be provided to the government, the Chinese side has been mounting pressure against the government through various channels and now overtly.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently held a telephone conversation with his Nepali counterpart and put pressure to accept the vaccines first under the condition that the details about the vaccines will be sent afterward; a topsy-turvy way of vaccine procurement.

With the Government of Nepal raising concern about Chinese supplies of vaccine to Nepal, China had warned Nepal to transport the Sinopharm vaccines immediately and that the relevant documents, including the legal disclaimer, may be provided simultaneously or later.