The Ministry of Health and Population has launched the AstraZeneca vaccination drive targeting the senior citizens above 65 years of age who have received the first dose of Covishield vaccine.

According to Ministry’s joint-spokesperson Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, the campaign was launched following the arrival of AstraZeneca vaccines from Bhutan and Japan. Covishield and AstraZeneca vaccine are developed by the same company and based on the same formula, with different brand names. It makes no difference for those already getting the first jab of Covishield to receive the AstraZeneca as the second dose. Senior citizens receiving the first dose of Covishield are to get the second dose after around four and half months of receiving the first dose.

Some 1.4 million people above 65 years of age were given the first dose of Covishield from March 7 to 24. The second dose was delayed as vaccine purchased from India was not supplied. The vaccine is available from 149 vaccination centres in the capital.
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