The answer to the US vaccine is coming 'in a day or two'

The country is running out of coronavirus vaccines. That is why Bangladesh has asked for 4 million vaccines of Oxford-AstraZeneca from the United States. The United States is expected to formally respond to Bangladesh's request within a day or two.

After a meeting with the US Ambassador to Dhaka Earl Robert Miller on Monday, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Shahriar Alam told reporters this information.

Shahriar Alam said the US ambassador said they were actively considering Bangladesh's request for a vaccine. The reply to the letter written by the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh to the Secretary of State of the United States in this regard will be available in a day or two.

The state minister for foreign affairs said they were discussing whether vaccines could be produced in Bangladesh. But of course this is a long-term plan. The US Embassy in Dhaka has already contacted the Ministry of Health and the Department of Health about joint venture production in Bangladesh in collaboration with US agencies.

The mass vaccination program was launched in the country on February 8 with the vaccination of the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus produced at the Serum Institute of India. An agreement was reached to bring 30 million doses of vaccinefrom Seram Institute.

According to the agreement, these vaccines were supposed to come in 6 months. However, Bangladesh has received 60 lakh vaccines in two consignments from Seram Institute. In addition, 33 lakh doses of vaccine were received as a gift from the Government of India.

In March, the Indian government imposed restrictions on the export of vaccines due to the widespread spread of coronavirus. After that Bangladesh is not getting vaccinated anymore. In the meantime, many who have been vaccinated with the first dose have been uncertain about getting the second dose.

In this situation, the government is trying to get the vaccine from alternative sources.

During the courtesy call of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, various bilateral and international issues were discussed. Among these issues were cooperation in tackling the Kovid situation and vaccination, ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and announcing this year's International Global Fund Joint Response Plan (JRP) for displaced Rohingya.