Bangladesh on Saturday (Jul 24) received 2,45,200 doses of Astra Zeneca vaccine as the first consignment from Japan under COVAX facilities.
Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen received the vaccine from Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh Naoki Ito at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after a Cathay Pacific Airways carrying the jabs landed around 3 p.m., local media reported.
After receiving the vaccine, the foreign minister expressed his gratitude to the Japan government for the supply and said that Tokyo will send more than three million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine in phases.
The second consignment consisting nearly five lakh doses of such vaccine will arrive here on Friday next, he said.
Dr Momen said this consignment of vaccine is important for Bangladesh as around 1.5 million people are waiting for the second dose of this Oxford made vaccine.
He said the government has already made a good lineup of getting more Covid-19 vaccines from different sources under COVAX along with commercial purchase to ensure steady supply of jabs for the countrymen.
COVAX, a global alliance, is a worldwide initiative aimed at equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines directed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Bangladesh has so far received 1.2 crore doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from the Serum Institute of India.
