Nationwide vaccine drive likely to start on 8 February
Covid-19 in Bangladesh
The government is likely to start nationwide vaccination programme on 8 February.
"The trial vaccination will begin by 27/28 January at Kurmitola Hospital. After observing the vaccinated people for one week, nationwide vaccine drive likely to begin on 8 February," Health Services Division Secretary Abdul Mannan said in a press briefing on Wednesday.
The Covid-19 vaccines will be given first to 25 front liners at Kurmitola General Hospital in the capital by 27-28 January, said Health Services Division Secretary Abdul Mannan.
"Later 500-600 more people will be vaccinated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Kurmitola General Hospital, Mugda General Hospital and Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Hospital the next day.
The vaccination will begin with the jabs gifted by India.
The 20 lakh doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, gifted by India to Bangladesh, will reach at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday noon, instead of Wednesday due to flight delay.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque will receive the vaccine at the airport. Indian High Commissioner Vikram K Doraiswami and high officials of the government will also be present there.
The health secretary further said that the other 50 lakh purchased doses are expected to arrive here on 25 January.
Besides, Bangladesh is purchasing 3 crore shots of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine from India's Serum Institute. Besides, India has gifted 20 lakh vaccine doses to Bangladesh.
A tripartite deal was signed by Bangladesh government with Beximco Pharmaceuticals and India's Serum institute in this regard last November.
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