Two million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine to be sent by India as a gift to Bangladesh will reach Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon, instead of Wednesday.

Health Secretary Md Abdul Mannan disclosed the information at a media briefing on Wednesday.

A special Air India flight carrying the consignment of free vaccine doses will land in Dhaka 1.30pm.

Health Minister Zahid Maleque will receive the vaccines while Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami and other government officials will attend the event, he said.

There will also be a dry run on 400-500 people at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Kurmitola General Hospital, Mugda Medical College Hospital and Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital.

"We will keep these vaccine recipients under observation for seven days," Abdul Mannan said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will virtually inaugurate the vaccination campaign at a hospital in Dhaka, the day before starting the dry run.

Bangladesh purchased 30 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca from Serum Institute of India. The first shipment of imported doses -- five million – is expected to arrive in Dhaka by Jan 25.

BDST: 1430 HRS, JAN 20, 2021
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