The Department of Drug Administration (DDA) granted the approval for the use of CoronaVac, a Chinese COVID-19 vaccine, manufactured by Sinovac life sciences company limited, in Nepal.

The DDA has already given permission for the use of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine (commonly understood as Vero Cell in Nepal), another Chinese COVID-19 vaccine, produced by Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Co Ltd, subsidiary of China National Biotec Group (CNBG).

China has provided 1.8 million doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine as grant assistance to Nepal.

World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed both the COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use, giving the green light for these vaccines to be rolled out globally.