Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday said there would be plenty of vaccines in the country with the arrival of 20 lakh doses of Covishield from India as a gift on Thursday.

Also read: No worries, Bangladesh will get vaccine timely: FM

Bangladesh’s largest neighbour was going to send 20 lakh doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines made by Serum Institute, the minister said. 

Also, Beximco Pharmaceuticals will bring 50 lakh doses of vaccines in the first phase. 

Also read: Bangladesh to receive 20 lakh Covid-19 vaccines from India as ‘gift’ Jan 21

“So, there would be plenty of vaccines in the country. We are quite assured now. We can start the vaccination programme ahead of the schedule,” Momen told the reporters.

Asked whether Bangladesh would get vaccines as a gift from other countries, Dr Momen said he was not aware of it but more countries including Russia and China were interested in supplying vaccines.

Also read: India vaccine developer warns some to avoid shot

The vaccines that will come as a gift will be handed over through a programme at the state guesthouse Padma on Thursday.