Thousands of Bhutanese travelled to schools and public buildings for vaccination as the Himalayan kingdom launched its biggest inoculation drive against Covid-19 with the AstraZeneca shots provided by neighbouring India.

Bhutan has been able to slow the spread of the virus with early screening and monitoring at entry points, testing and sealing of borders.

Total infections stand at 870 with one death from Covid-19 since the pandemic began, according to government data.

In the week-long campaign the majority-Buddhist nation, tucked between China and India, hopes to inoculate more than half a million people who have registered for being vaccinated.

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