Vaccines Coming from India on Jan 21 Instead of Jan 20

The Indian government will provide 20 lakh doses of Oxford-Astrazenca Covid-19 vaccines (Covishield) to Bangladesh as 'gift' on January 21 instead of January 20.

A Health Ministry official confirmed the matter to media on Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier on Monday, media outlets of the country ran stories that the vaccines will reach Bangladesh tomorrow (January 20).

Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Monday said Bangladesh will receive the first consignment of Oxford-AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine on January 25-26.

"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.

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

The government on December 13 signed an agreement with Serum Institute of India Pvt Limited for procuring the COVID-19 vaccine.

Under the deal, Bangladesh will import three crore doses of SARS-Cov-2 AZD 1222 (Oxford/Astrazeneca Vaccine), (50 lakh in each month) from Serum Institute of India in the next six months.