Bhutan to roll out the nationwide vaccination program after Mar 13

THIMPHU: Bhutan is planning a nationwide vaccination programme only after the country has "sufficient doses for all."

The Prime Minister of Bhutan Lotay Tshering said that the plan is to vaccinate all the people together, so they will roll out the nationwide vaccination programme only when they have sufficient doses for all the targetted population.

“It is important we roll out the nationwide vaccination on an auspicious date. Upon consulting with Zhung Dratshang, we were informed of dana (inauspicious month) which falls between February 14 and March 13. We will wait until the period is over,” PM Tshering also stated.

In an official statement released by the PM’s office, he said, “Our plan is to vaccinate the entire population in their respective communities, gewogs and chiwogs in one week. We are well on track with the health facilites and human resource planning.”

ALSO READ: China's capital Beijing steps up COVID-19 measures as outbreak persists

It was further informed that during the vaccine roll out in the country, the movement of the people will be restricted for a week.

The second dose of the vaccine will be administered in the same arrangement four weeks after the first dose.

When Bhutan subtracts the population segment for which vaccines are not authorized world over, (includes 18 years and below, pregnant, breastfeeding women), the targetted vaccine population comes to slightly over 533.000.

ALSO READ: 17 women professors pass away in tragic vehicle accident in Karnataka

For an estimated 533,000 targetted population, Bhutan will procure two doses each which comes to around 1,200,000 doses.

 The first consignment of the vaccine will arrive in the country very soon, the statement informed.

The Prime Minister on Monday announced that the capital Thimphu will receive Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine from India to help the country fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

Noting the 'value of the old ties' between the two countries, Tshering said that New Delhi will provide coronavirus vaccines for free.

ALSO READ: Arunachal girl alleges 'sexual misconduct' at ISBT in Guwahati, video goes viral

To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us HERE. 

Download:                                                                   

The Inside Northeast app HERE for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India. 

Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast