20 lakh doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine sent as gift from India have been handed over to the Government of Bangladesh.
The vaccine was handed over by Indian Ambassador Vikram Doraiswamy at a function at the state guest house Padma on Thursday (January 21) at noon.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Health Minister Zahid Malek, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohammad Shahriar Alam and other officials of the concerned ministry were present on the occasion.
The Health Minister thanked the Government of India. He said that according to the trade agreement, 50 lakh vaccines are expected to arrive by the end of this month . When I get the flight schedule, I will let you know when I will get the vaccine. No flight schedule yet. After that 50 lakh vaccines are to be given every month. There is a schedule for vaccinations. If this is the case, we will let you know when we know.
The health minister urged not to spread any rumors about the side effects of the vaccine. Vaccines are life-saving drugs, he said.
Foreign Minister Abdul Momen said the gift would further strengthen the friendship between Bangladesh and India. In the future, the two countries will be able to walk together.
Earlier, a plane carrying vaccines arrived in Dhaka from India at around 11:20 am on Thursday by Air India special flight.