March 19, 2024, 2:05 pm


Staff Correspondent

Published:
2021-01-22 01:07:47 BdST

Covid vaccination to start February 8: Health Minister


The much-sought Covid-19 vaccination in Bangladesh will start from February 8 across the country after a week's trial run, said Health Minister Zahid Maleque.

He came up with the information while receiving Indian gift of Covid-19 vaccine at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday morning.

He said that the government will also be succeed in administering the covid vaccines as like it controlled the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque also urged all to refrain from doing politics, spreading rumours over vaccine.

He urged those who are doing politics and conspiring over people’s lives not to make people confused about the vaccine as it is one of the lifesaving tools.

The Health Minister expressed satisfaction over the vaccine management as Bangladesh has prior experiences in vaccination.

“The country has been made free from polio. People know very well about vaccine and its side effects,” he said.

The minister said the government is planning to carry out a trial of vaccination programme within the next six-seven days.

Zahid Maleque said another 50 lakh doses of the vaccine from India are expected to arrive within this month.
He said 50 lakh doses of vaccine are scheduled to arrive in each of the next six months as per the agreement.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will join the first vaccination progamme through a videoconference.

He thanked the Indian government, Indian Prime Minister and the people of India for staying beside Bangladesh both in time of happiness and sorrows.

“It’s an important moment. We’re very delighted today. We’ve received the vaccine and taken it to our store. It’s proved today that friends help each other in need,” he said.

The Health Minister said the entire world and the global economy are affected today due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“India was always beside Bangladesh since 1971. India will continue to help us,” he said.

The friendship between Bangladesh and India has got strengthened with India’s gift, Maleque said.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has devastated the economy of many countries in the world. Look at the USA and Europe! Bangladesh is relatively in a better condition as our economy still moving on, the life here is almost normal,” he said.

Earlier, two million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India arrived in Dhaka this morning as a "gift" from New Delhi.

A special flight of India carrying the consignment landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 11:20am, Airport sources said.

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