Oxford’s Covid-19 vaccine will cost $5: BD Health minister

Bangladesh Health Minister Zahid Maleque has said Oxford’s Covid-19 vaccine will be available in Bangladesh for $5 or around Tk425 per dose.

The minister was speaking at a views-exchange program in Manikganj, according to media reports.

“Oxford’s vaccine will be available at a maximum cost of $5. The World Health Organization (WHO) is expected to grant approval for the vaccine very soon,” Zahid Maleque said.

The minister said Bangladesh was procuring the vaccine at a lower cost compared to other countries as the government had taken a swift decision on the issue.

He said the government expected the first consignment of 5 million doses of the vaccine to arrive at the end of January.

Zahid Maleque also mentioned that Bangladesh would get 30 million doses of vaccine in the next six months. The government has ordered vaccines for around 60 million people.

The health minister, however, served the reminder that people would still have to maintain health guidelines and wear masks.

Though WHO is yet to approve the vaccine developed by Oxford, the UK and India have approved it for emergency use.