Health Minister Zahid Maleque has said Bangladesh will be able to procure the Covid-19 vaccine at a lower cost compared to many other countries due to the government’s prompt decision to this end.
The minister said this while talking to journalists at his farmhouse in Garpara area of Manikganj this afternoon.
“Order for procuring vaccine for nearly six crore people has been confirmed. More orders will be made in steps accordingly,” he said.
“Oxford’s vaccine will be available at a maximum cost of USD 5. The World Health Organization (WHO) is expected to grant approval for the vaccine very soon. It has less side effects. We will have three crore doses of the Oxford vaccine,” the minister also said.
“The first consignment of 50 lakh doses will come within this month,” Zahid Maleque said.
“A committee led by the Prime Minister’s principal secretary has been formed to make a list of people who would be vaccinated after the first consignment arrives,” he also said.
“Everyone, however, will have to continue wearing mask and follow health safety guidelines even after being vaccinated,” the minister added.
Photo credit: Collected
News source: The Daily Star
