Dhaka to receive 30 lakh more Sinopharm this month

Bangladesh will get 30 lakh more doses of Sinopharm vaccine from China this month.

Dhaka, July 24 :  Bangladesh will get 30 lakh more doses of Sinopharm vaccine from China this month,  Health and Family Planning Minister Zahid Maleque said on Saturday.

The jabs are expected to arrive in Dhaka either on July 26 or 27, he told in a meeting in Dhaka.

The meeting with the member hospitals and organizations of Bangladesh Private Medical College Association was held to discuss Covid-19 prevention, oxygen crisis, increasing hospital facilities and beds.

“We are trying to bring everyone under the Covid-19 vaccination campaign. Already enough number of Covid-19 jabs has been received and more 30 lakh doses of Sinopharm will arrive,” he said.

Maleque said 21 crore doses of vaccine have already been arranged from different sources. If these are available on time Bangladesh will be able to vaccinate 80% of its population, he said.

The minister said 26 cold freezers are being brought from The World Health Organization (WHO) for vaccines that need to be stored in minus 70 degree Celsius.

The government has directed to prioritize elders in rural areas in vaccination drives and to bring teachers, students and their family members above 18 years under the campaign, said Maleque, reports UNB.