India to Give Some COVID-19 Vaccines As Gift

Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Monday said that Bangladesh is going to get some COVID-19 vaccines from India as a gift.

The minister made the remark while addressing the ''Meet the Reporters" event at Dhaka Reporters' Unity in the capital.

"We will get 50 lakh doses of the vaccine. Besides, the Indian government will send some Covid vaccines to Bangladesh as gifts. The vaccines may arrive in the country anytime,'' he said.

Mentioning that the Serum Institute of India will export the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine to Bangladesh by 26 January, the minister said it will be given in hospitals and diagnostic centers as some people might face side effects.

He further added that the government will bear the expense for treatment if there is any side effect.

"As per the guideline of WHO, we will vaccinate those first who are working with risks. And elderly people will get more priority.  People below the age of 18 will not get the vaccine," the minister said.

He said all the reporters of the country will get the vaccine in due time.

"ICT department is developing an "app" to provide vaccine properly," he also said.

Zahid Maleque said the government is also discussing with Russia, China and others for collecting more vaccine.

The minister also said they have already trained up to 4200 people to push the vaccine properly. “We have also made a high-powered national committee and also made a list of those who will get the vaccine first. Every journalist will get the vaccine as they work with risk," he also said.

DRU president Mirsalin Nomany presided over the session while its secretary Mosiur Rahman moderated it.