Govt in talks with different cos to procure vaccines

Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Sunday said discussions are underway with different companies in different countries for procuring Coronavirus vaccines once those are available, reports UNB.
"Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will soon be signed with those companies who are currently in the advanced stage of vaccine production," he said.
The minister came up with the remarks while talking to reporters at the secretariat.
The ministry has adequate funds for procuring vaccines and more will be sought from the Finance Ministry, if necessary, he said. "Everyone will not get vaccines at a time as those will be distributed in groups. The country has all the preparations to fight the second wave of Covid-19," Zahid Maleque said.
Frontline workers will get the vaccines first, maintaining the protocol of the World Health Organization (WHO), he added.
Doctors, Army personnels, elderly people, journalists, school teachers will be there in the list of front liners, he said. "It' not decided yet whether the vaccine will be free or not," the minister said.
The government has spent Tk 15,000 on per covid-19 patient and Tk 47,000 for each Intensive Care Unit patient in hospitals.
"Even if the vaccine becomes available, it won't be possible to provide it to all overnight. So, all have to wear masks and follow health guidelines," said the minister.