Bhutan, a small Buddhist kingdom in the Himalayas, could be among the first countries in the world to give a Covid vaccine dose to its entire adult population.
Six days into its mass vaccination programme, more than 435,000 Bhutanese people have been given the AstraZeneca vaccine. That works out at almost 80 per cent of the eligible population.
Amid high turnout and impressive logistics, almost all adults will have had a first dose by Saturday.
A country of about 800,000 people, Bhutan received 150,000 doses of the vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India back in January.
But unlike neighbouring Nepal that suspended its campaign due to lack of doses, authorities in Bhutan waited for 400,000 more shots that were provided in late March to begin the campaign in one go.
Using flights and helicopter services, the government ensured the vaccines reached all parts of the country, setting up 1,200 vaccination sites manned by doctors and health workers.
Some vaccinators have been walking for days through rough and mountainous terrain to reach remote villages, carrying the vaccines and equipment with them.
The country's rollout began last Saturday when thousands travelled to vaccination sites in schools and public buildings.
Buddhist astrologers advised the government that a woman born in the year of monkey should be chosen as the first person to receive the vaccine.
Ninda Dema, a 30-year-old woman born in the year of the monkey, became the country’s first to receive the jab at a school-turned vaccination centre in the capital Thimphu, an event that was televised live.
The nurse who administered the vaccine was also born in the year of the monkey.
Buddhist years are named after 12 animals like goat, rooster and pig. Religious followers believe that people born in the year of the Monkey are inventive and can solve even the most difficult problems rather easily.
“Let this small step of mine today help us all prevail through this illness,” Ninda was quoted by the Kuensel newspaper as saying after being selected to take the first jab.
Bhutan has been able to slow the spread of the virus with early screening and monitoring at entry points, testing and sealing of borders.
The government imposed a strict lockdown in December after the number of infections rose sharply, and has barred foreign tourists since March.
Total infections stand at 886 with one death from Covid-19 since the pandemic began, according to government data.
The scenic country, which is heavily dependent on high-end tourists, is famous for its “gross national happiness” index as an alternative to gross domestic product to indicate real economic progress or development. – Additional reporting: Reuters
