Malaysia provides half a million AstraZeneca vaccines to Bangladesh

Malaysia today provided more than half a million AstraZeneca vaccines to Bangladesh as a gesture of solidarity and support in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic.

In a formal ceremony at the State Guest House Padma, Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Haznah Md Hashim handed over the token vaccine doses to Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen.

Senior officials from the ministries of foreign affairs and health and Malaysian High Commission were present.

High Commissioner of Malaysia Hashim described the donation of 559,200 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines and medical equipment to Bangladesh as a testament to the close, warm and cordial relations existing between the two brotherly countries.

Foreign Minister Momen appreciated the kind gesture and support of Malaysian government for standing beside Bangladesh during this pandemic.

Highlighting the massive inoculation programme undertaken by Bangladesh government, Momen mentioned that already over 100 million of the population have been vaccinated, of which more than 67 million received a single dose while more than 37 million received double doses.

He expressed hope that Bangladesh would venture into vaccine production in near future as well.

The minister also thanked the Malaysian government for allowing Bangladeshi expatriate workers to work and stay in Malaysia during the most difficult phases of the Covid-19 pandemic.