Published in: The Daily Star
Date: 07 July, 2021

The European Union will supply 1 million AstraZeneca vaccine doses under COVAX by the end of this month, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said today.

“Our ambassador in Geneva informed us that European Union will provide us 10 lakh AstraZeneca vaccines. The doses are expected to arrive at the end of this month,” he told reporters at his residence today.

Besides, Japan will also provide AstraZeneca vaccines — expected to arrive next week.

“We got assurance as we spoke to Japan’s foreign minister. They are giving vaccines to other countries and we said why can’t we get it? They assured they will give a consignment to us,” Momen said.

Japan has not declared an amount, but the minister said he is expecting 2.5 million.

Bangladesh faced shortage of vaccines following India’s vaccine export halt in March after Serum Institute of India had supplied 7 million of the 30 million doses, under contract, in 6 months, and the Indian government provided gift of 3.3 million doses.

Later, China gifted 1.1 million Sinopharm, US supplied 1.06 lakh Pfizer and 2.5 million Moderna vaccine doses. Besides, China supplied 2 million of contracted vaccines.

Bangladesh is also negotiating with China’s Sinovac company to buy vaccines. Besides, Bangladesh and China are working to co-produce vaccines in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is also at the final stage of a deal with Russia for importing Sputnik V vaccine.

“We think we will not have any problems getting vaccines. So, the vaccination drive will continue,” Momen said.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/coronavirus-deadly-new-threat/news/bangladesh-receive-35-million-covid-19-vaccines-covax-month-momen-2125673