Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday said the government has sought immediate delivery of 4 million vaccine doses from the United States (US). The US will share up to 60 million doses of its Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine with other countries as they become available. “We’ve sought immediate release of four million doses of vaccine (in a letter sent to the US),” he told reporters, adding that he, however, sought a total of 10 to 20 million doses of vaccine from the US. Dr Momen said the government wants to continue the vaccination programme collecting vaccines from alternative sources.   The Foreign Minister made the remarks after his meeting with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller at his office. Also read: Covid vaccine stock running out: DGHS He asked the US Ambassador whether they provided any vaccine to India. In reply, Ambassador Miller said they have provided no vaccine to India yet. The Foreign Minister said the US government needs permission from the Food and Drug Administration to export vaccines which is a time-consuming process. “But we need it immediately.”   Dr Momen said they have written to Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar requesting for 3 million doses of vaccine to address Bangladesh's immediate need.  "They (India) have verbally said keep your finger crossed," he said. Chinese Vaccine Arrives May 12 The Foreign Minister said the government is not shifting its attention from India as there is an agreement with Serum Institute of India to get 3 crore doses of vaccine. The Foreign Minister reiterated that the Chinese government is working to deliver 5 lakh doses of vaccine as a gift before Eid al-Fitr as two dates are mentioned – May 10 or 12.

Despite its high demand in India, Dhaka hopes that New Delhi will supply the rest of the Oxford-AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine doses produced by Serum Institute of India (SII) to Bangladesh as agreed between the two countries with other options open.    “India is telling us that it’ll (March consignment) come but yet to arrive. We believe in their assurance,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told UNB in an interview at his residence. He said Bangladesh received 3.2 million doses of vaccine as a gift from India but the consignment of 5 million doses that was scheduled to arrive in March from India is yet to come. Read Covishield and Covaxin: What we know about India's Covid-19 vaccines Bangladesh has purchased three crore doses of the vaccine from the Serum Institute and the first shipment of 50 lakh arrived here in January last week while the second consignment of 20 lakh doses of Covid-19 came in February. The Foreign Minister acknowledged the high demand of vaccines globally, including the demand by some political leaders in India to halt export. “I think it won’t be applicable for us as we’ve made arrangements and made advance payment. India announced the vaccine will be delivered as per schedule. And we believe it,” Dr Momen said. Also read: Funding for vaccine procurement earmarked in deals with WB, ADB: Dr Meerjady Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to place an immediate moratorium on the export of vaccines, fast track approval of other vaccines and open up vaccination to everyone who needs it.

Bangladesh on Monday received the first consignment of 50 lakh doses of Covishield, the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca and manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII).

India has said there is no reason for Bangladesh to be concerned over the timely receiving of the Covid-19 vaccine because India always prioritises its neighbours. 

Bangladesh will receive the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine from the Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd on time, Health Minister Zahid Maleque assured the people on Monday.