By SM Najmus Sakib
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - Bangladesh will get 68 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine from the Gavi Vaccine Alliance, a public-private global health partnership, a South Asian country’s Health Ministry official said on Wednesday.
“It will cover some 20% of the population of Bangladesh in phases,” said Dr Md Shamsul Haque, a director at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Gavi will charge in a co-finance method with Bangladesh, and each shot of vaccine will cost $1.62 to $2, the DGHS official added.
“If we want, we can have more doses of vaccine from Gavi […] But the cost for the additional doses has not been determined yet, Haque told Anadolu Agency.
Eligible candidates in the country will get two doses of the total 68 million doses.
On Nov. 5, Bangladesh inked an agreement to get 30 million doses of the Oxford vaccine from India's Serum Institute once it gets available with comparatively higher cost, $5.
Bangladesh has so far confirmed to give two doses of vaccines to some 45 million people out of some 165 million population.
In order to have smooth financing, the government has already sent letters to donor agencies seeking loan assistance to buy the virus vaccine.
