Kathmandu: A total of 184,857 people have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in the first phase of the immunization programme held in the country. The vaccination programme was held after the country received one million doses of the vaccine as a grant from neighbouring India.

The Covishield vaccine was administered to 184,857 persons through 201 vaccination centres set up in different parts of the country, Ministry of Health and Population Spokesperson Dr Jageswar Gautam said. Those receiving the vaccine include 24,224 in province 1, 25,637 in province 2, 63,308 in Bagmati province, 18,472 in Gandaki, 28,941 in Lumbini, 9,420 in Karnali and 14,855 in Sudur Paschim province.

Those who received the first dose in the first phase will be prioritized in the second phase of the vaccination for the second dose of the vaccine. The Ministry plans to vaccinate 72 per cent population of the country, after procuring the vaccine required for the same.