20 lakh doses of vaccines due Thursday from India as gift: FM

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday said there would be plenty of vaccines in the country with 20 lakh doses of Covishield coming from India as gift on Thursday.

He said India is sending the 20 lakh doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines made by the Serum Institute of India. 

Some 50 lakh doses of vaccines will be brought by Beximco in the first phase. 

"So, there would be plenty of vaccines in the country, we're quite assured now. We can start the vaccination programme ahead of the schedule," he told reporters after attending a function in the city.

Asked whether Bangladesh will get vaccines as a gift from other countries, Dr Momen said he is not aware of the gift but more countries including Russia and China are interested in providing vaccines.

The vaccines that will come as a gift will be handed over though a programme at State guest house Padma on Thursday afternoon.