ZCZC
BSS-41
COVID-19-VACCINES-EFFICACY LEAD
50 lakh COVID-19 vaccine shipment arrives tomorrow: Maleque
DHAKA, Jan 24, 2021 (BSS) – Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid
Maleque today said the first consignment of 50 lakh doses of COVID-19
vaccines developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca will arrive in
Bangladesh tomorrow (Monday).
“As per the agreement, the first consignment of 50 lakh doses of COVID-19
vaccine will arrive in the country tomorrow,” he told a press briefing at his
ministry here, an official release said.
An Air India special flight carrying the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine,
manufactured by Serum Institute of India, is likely to reach Dhaka at 11.30
am on Monday, January 25.
Managing Director of Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd (BPL) Nazmul Hassan, MP,
will receive the vaccine at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Bangladesh received its first ever COVID-19 vaccine consignment on January
21 (Thursday) as India sent 20 lakh doses of vaccine as gift, the health
minister said, adding the total vaccine doses will stand at 70 lakh doses
now. The government has taken all necessary preparations for distribution and
preservation of these 70 lakh doses of vaccine, he added.
Maleque said the COVID-19 vaccines developed by the University of Oxford
and AstraZeneca has been proven safe and effective against the deadly virus.
“Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines gifted by the Indian government have been
tested as the most effective and safe vaccines in the world,” he told a press
briefing at his ministry here, an official release said.
Maleque described Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines as more suitable for
Bangladeshi weather condition compared to other countries and he hoped that
these vaccines will be more effective against the COVID-19.
Secretary of Health Service Division Abdul Mannan and Secretary of Health
Education and Family Planning Division Md Ali Nur, among others, were present
at the press briefing.
The health minister said COVID-19 vaccine receivers will be given
telemedicine services, if side effects are found after administering of
vaccines.
No significant side effects are reported after administering COVID-19
vaccines developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca, he added.
At present, the government is providing nine types of vaccines against
different diseases in the country, Maleque said, adding Bangladesh has enough
experience in immunization as it has successfully prevented many diseases,
including polio and tetanus. “We will be successful in conducting COVID-19
vaccination drive using previous experiences,” he added.
BSS/PR/MMR/TA/ARS/2048 hrs