The government of Bangladesh has granted approval for the emergency use of the Oxford University-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine.

The approval to import the vaccine was granted by the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) of Bangladesh late on Monday to Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (BPL). 

The BPL has signed an agreement with the Serum Institute of India (SII) for importing 30 million shots of the vaccine for Bangladesh on December 13.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen told media persons in Dhaka on Monday that the vaccine from Indian manufacturers will arrive in Bangladesh on time.

Dismissing the apprehension about the delay in receiving the vaccine, Dr. Momen said there is no need to worry on that count. He further said that the government of Bangladesh is also exploring other sources to get the COVID-19 vaccine.