Bangladesh Okays Oxford University-Astrazeneca Vaccine

Bangladesh Drug Administration has allowed import of Oxford University-AstraZeneca Coronavirus vaccine. The matter was confirmed to the media on Monday night by its Director General Major General Md. Mahbubur Rahman.

At a press conference Monday afternoon, Najmul Hassan Papan, managing director of Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd, said that the vaccine will be brought to Bangladesh within a month if it is allowed to import the vaccine.

Nazmul Hassan Papan held a press conference today to address the confusion over whether the Oxford-based Coronavirus vaccine is actually available in Bangladesh. At the time, he said, there was no base of the media reports that India would not give vaccines. The vaccine manufacturer has had an agreement with Serum Institute of India for 3 crore vaccines. Already, an amount of money has also been paid in advance. Also, on Monday, the institute discussed the issue of vaccine exports, he said.

According to the contract between the government, Serum and its local partner Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd each dose of the vaccine will be available at $5 for the government.

The vaccine could be administered for emergency use, according to local media report.

India on Sunday banned export of the Coronavirus vaccine for two months to make sure that local demands in emergency cases are met.