BD Govt to pay COVID-19 vaccine side-effect treatment cost: Minister

BD Health minister Zahid Maleque

Online Desk: Bangladesh  Health minister Zahid Maleque said on Monday that the government would bear the expenses for treatment if anyone faces a side-effect after taking COVID-19 vaccine.

‘Serum Institute of India will export the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine to Bangladesh by January 26. We will get 50 lakh doses of the vaccine. Besides, the Indian government will send some vaccines to Bangladesh as gift,’ the minister said during a programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity.

He also mentioned that 42,000 health workers were being prepared for the vaccination programme, adding that people would be vaccinated at 300 centres in Dhaka.

‘The vaccine will be given in hospitals and diagnostic centres as patients might face side effects. The government will bear the expense for treatment,’ the minister said.

The Indian government will gift some vaccines which might arrive before January 26, said Zahid.

However, it is still not confirmed which vaccines — Bharat Biotech or AstraZeneca — would be sent as gifts, Zahid added.

The minister claimed that Bangladesh and India would get the vaccine from the Serum Institute at the same price.