Bangladesh will not pay more than US$4 for each dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine it is buying from the Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd, said Nazmul Hassan Papon, the Managing Director of Beximco Pharma.

The first consignment of five million doses from Serum Institute will reach Dhaka around 11:30am on Monday, he told reporters at his Gulshan residence on Sunday evening.

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“According to our deal, the doses will be taken straight to our warehouse from the airport. They’ll be sent out to all districts after necessary tests,” he said, adding that Bangladesh is paying the same price for each dose as India.

“At the moment, we can’t say for sure how much it’ll cost but it should be within $3 to $4,” he said. “Although India is paying $4 [for each dose], Bangladesh won’t pay more than $4.”

Also read: Bangladesh’s vaccination plan unveiled

Bangladesh signed an agreement with Serum Institute last month for procuring Covid-19 vaccine. Under the deal, Bangladesh will import 30 million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, five million in each month, from Serum in the next six months.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the vaccination drive on Jan 27 at Kurmitola Hospital. A nurse will receive the jab there.

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Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Sunday said the national committee which will decide how the vaccination campaign will be carried out. They have completed their preparations.

The government has a list of everyone who will be vaccinated, he said, adding that permission has been given for antibody tests.

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