Health minister Zahid Maleque on Sunday said it is unlikely that Bangladesh will have to suspend its vaccination programme any more as there will be enough jabs in the future. 

“We had to suspend the administration of Covid-19 jabs for a while… from now on, the vaccination process will go on uninterruptedly,” he said while talking to reporters after attending a programme at the secretariat.

Regarding the update on vaccine procurement, the minister said Bangladesh will receive 25 lakh doses of Moderna Covid-19 vaccine within a few days in addition to the ones that will come from China and COVAX facility.

Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh reports record 119 daily deaths

“We’re hopeful of signing a deal with Russia for getting Sputnik V vaccine soon,” Maleque added.

Asked how the government will contain the spread of the Coronavirus, he said a strict lockdown is going to be enforced. “Still, there’s ample scope to provide treatment to Covid-19 patients as 12,000 to 15,000 beds are ready across the country with 1,600 oxygen, concentrators and necessary medical supplies.”

Regarding Covid vaccine production in Bangladesh, Maleque said, “Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL) has got the approval in principle for producing Covid vaccines in Bangladesh, but it will take time to start the production…we’ll do it as soon as possible.”

Also read: Bangladesh ready to go into ‘strict lockdown’ from Monday

In response to another question, he said Bangladeshi vaccines will be produced locally but the scope of producing vaccines in collaboration with other sources will also be considered.

Private companies have both the facilities and the approval to produce foreign vaccines in the country, he added.

Regarding Globe Biotech’s local vaccine BONGOVAX’s approval, Maleque said they will be able to start producing it following the international and WHO’s rules. “We’re assisting it too,” he said.