Bangladesh gets over 8m AstraZeneca jabs from Japan, UK

Bangladesh has received over eight million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine from Japan and the United Kingdom (UK).

Health Minister Zahid Maleque received the jabs – donated through the global vaccine-sharing initiative Covax – in an event held at the state guest house Padma on Wednesday afternoon.

"We have achieved 32% of our overall vaccination target. We now have 4.5 crore jabs in stock," said the minister adding booster doses for Covid-19 will be introduced within the next 7 to 10 days.

Meanwhile, replying to a query about the development surrounding Omicron in the country, Zahid said, "So far three people have been diagnosed with Omicron in Bangladesh. They are in quarantine, receiving all necessary treatments. They are in a stable condition."

The minister also said Covid-19 deaths and cases are now under control.

Among the vaccines received yesterday, Japan donated 4,000,800 doses while the UK donated more than 4,055,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki and British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dickson were present at the event.

Bangladesh reported four more deaths from Covid-19 along with 297 fresh cases in the last 24 hours till 8 am on Wednesday.