The vaccination drive in Nepal, which met with mixed reactions and emotions from the citizens of Nepal, and as result only 184,857 people took the jab out of targeted 430,000 frontline health workers and other high-risk groups. However, the first phase was a success, with the second phase and the second dose for the first phase receivers on the pipeline in the near future.  We, at the Temple Tiger, are excited about the vaccine and can’t wait for everyone to be able to get it. With the vaccination program, the government streamlining the arrival of tourists, and easier entry for people vaccinated against COVID, we think it is the right direction ahead.

The Government of Nepal on January 15 approved the use of Covishield developed by the Serum Institute of India for emergency usage and then received a grant of one million doses of the vaccine shortly. The first phase of the drive started on the 27th of January and ended after 10 days. Nepal is set to start its second phase of the inoculation drive and to prepare for it, the government decided to procure 2 million doses of the Covishield vaccine. 1 million doses of the vaccine have already landed in Kathmandu on Sunday and The remaining 1 million will reach Kathmandu very soon. This procured vaccine will be used to inoculate people above 60 years of age, which is 8.73 percent of Nepal's population, in the second phase of the vaccination drive, which will begin on March 7.

The government on Thursday also approved the emergency use of a Covid-19 vaccine developed by an affiliate of China’s Sinopharm, which is a second vaccine after the after Covishield to be approved in Nepal. Shortly after the move from the government, the Chinese government have announced to donate 500,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine to Nepal. And with the government aiming to vaccinate 72% of its eligible population above 18 years, any help that we can get is good, and with additional 2.25 million Covishield doses under the WHO’s COVAX initiative arriving in Nepal by early March, the officials are gearing up for the second phase of the vaccination for people above 55 years and those with co-morbidities starting from 7 March. This will be followed by the age group 40-54 in the third stage and then those below 40 years of age in the fourth. The newer campaigns henceforth are planned to be community-based, ensuring higher coverage and with vaccine awareness programs on site. And as per the WHO recommendation, the advisory groups will soon finalize their decision to provide the second dose between 8-12 weeks in the same campaign.

With the vaccination drive gaining some momentum, and the government getting serious with the cause, we think the time of global travel and travelers entering Nepal is not too far. We have been waiting patiently for the last 12 months, and we are very eager to have you here, with us, and around Nepal doing what you love.  We have refreshed our tours and treks itineraries, we have modified old classics to make them more appealing in today’s market, we have scoured around and created some brand new itineraries, we have put together some niche itineraries as well and we cannot wait any longer to share them with you. We know you will love them and we believe we have found what you want.

We wish the vaccination around the world great success, we hope we get back our freedom, and we hope to see you all back in Nepal – We can’t wait to welcome you all!