Bangladesh is the largest recipient of the Covid-19 vaccines sent from India to any country, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka says.
So far, Bangladesh received 7 million doses through its contract plus 3.3 million as bilateral partnership gifts. “This is the largest amount sent from India to any country,” the High Commission said on Thursday, following media reports about the uncertainty of getting Covid-19 vaccines from India.
“We have said we would do our best to meet everyone's needs, subject to limits of production, domestic demands, and other obligations. We will continue to do our best to support the vaccine rollout in our neighborhood countries, but it is important to bear in mind that there is a huge wave of the pandemic underway in India,” the High Commission said.
“In short, we can only share what is actually available. And the fact is that there is a huge amount of demand and not enough supply. As production is increased to meet the increased demand in India and globally, it will be possible to increase supplies.”
Bangladesh is using the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine against the Covid-19. The Serum Institute of India which is one of the biggest vaccine makers in the world is producing the vaccine in Pune.
The Beximco Pharma signed a deal with the Serum with the help of the health ministry to buy 30 million doses. Besides, Bangladesh will get vaccines under the World Health Organisation’s Covax mechanism.
