Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen and Health Minister Zahid Maleque received the second consignment of AstraZeneca vaccines sent by Japan on Saturday.
Cathay Pacific Airways arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport carrying 7,81,320 doses of vaccines from Japan at 3:15pm.
Senior Secretary of Health Service Division Lokman Hossain Miah and Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Ito Naoki were also present there.
Earlier, the Foreign Minister received the first consignment of AstraZeneca vaccines of 2,45, 200 doses on 24 July.
Japan announced to provide 3.0 million AstraZeneca vaccines to Bangladesh through the WHO-COVAX mechanism.
After receiving the vaccine, the foreign minister expressed his gratitude to the Japan government for the supply.
“We urge all for a global and united response for containing this pandemic, ensuring availability of vaccines on a global scale and mobility of resources to stimulate the global economy.” Dr. Momen had said after receiving the first consignment.
This consignment of vaccine is important for Bangladesh as around 1.5 million people are waiting for the second dose of this Oxford made vaccine.
COVAX, a global alliance, is a worldwide initiative aimed at equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines directed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Bangladesh has so far received 1.2 crore doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from the Serum Institute of India (SII).
According to a GAVI statement, following a pledge made at the Gavi COVAX AMC Summit, hosted by Japan, the first COVID-19 vaccine doses donated by Japan are now reaching countries in Asia, including Bangladesh.
The government of Japan said: “In order to overcome COVID-19, it is important to promote equitable access to vaccines not only in Japan but also throughout the world. Japan will continue to work towards securing equitable access to safe, effective and quality-assured vaccines through various support, responding to the needs of developing countries and the world, in cooperation with relevant countries and international organizations.”
