Nepal feels it is cheaper to buy India-made coronavirus vaccines

The government of Nepal feels that it would be cheaper to buy the coronavirus vaccines that are being developed in India. Nepal news website <strong><em><a href="https://www.ratopati.com/story/158565/2020/12/12/corona-virus">Ratopati</a> </em></strong>reports that companies involved in vaccine manufacturing in India told the government that they can provide the vaccines for up to $8 only.

In India, companies including Oxford and BioNTech are engaged in vaccine manufacturing. Nepal has estimated that vaccines produced in other countries will cost the country much more. Deputy Prime Minister Ishwor Pokharel had a discussion with the coordinator of the Covid-19 Crisis Management Center (CCMC) Board of Directors on Friday regarding the progress being made in purchasing vaccines.

"The recent decisions of the government and the progress being made have been discussed with the CCMC ministers regarding the timely provision of free vaccines to the people," said Pokharel.

On his recent Kathmandu visit, Foreign Secretary Harshvardhan Shringla, had said that India will accord the first priority to Nepal regarding the coronavirus vaccine. Addressing a foreign policy think tank, Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA), Shringla said: “As the world’s largest manufacturer of vaccines, India is at the forefront of this effort. We have at least five promising vaccine candidates at advanced stages of trials.”

He added that once a vaccine is launched, meeting Nepal's requirement would be a priority for India..