Covid-19 vaccine to cost Tk425: Minister

Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque today said that the Oxford-AstraZeneca developed vaccine for coronavirus will be available for Tk 425 per shot.

The minister came up with the discloser in a view exchange meeting with a group of journalists in Manikganj this afternoon.

He expected that the World Health Organisation would approve the Oxford-AstraZeneca developed vaccine immediately as it has fewer side effects.

Bangladesh is going to get the vaccine for lower price compared to other countries as the government has taken several pragmatic decisions in quickest possible time to attain the vaccine, he said.

“We have ensured the vaccines for at least six crore of people and more demands for it will be placed in phases,” he said in the view exchange meeting.

Oxford-AstraZeneca will provide three crore doses of vaccine and 50 lakh doses will be given in the first consignment, according to the minister.

Responding to a query on who will be given the vaccine in the first phase, the minister said a team under the leadership of the principal secretary to the prime minister is working in preparing a list in this regard.

Even after vaccination, people will have to wear mask and fallow the government imposed health guideline in order to contain the spread of the virus, he added.