Kolkata: In the middle of the rising coronavirus cases in Bangladesh – China delivered one-third of the third consignment of Sinopharm’s Covid-19 vaccine doses to Bangladesh.
A statement released by Bangladesh Airlines said that “A special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, carrying one million doses of the vaccine, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 10:20 pm on Thursday.”
Two other special flights of the national flag carrier are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka with the rest of the consignment – two million doses – on Friday.
Earlier on Thursday, the three Boeing Dreamliners of Biman – one 787-9 and two -787-8 – left Dhaka for Beijing Capital International Airport in China to bring the three million doses of Sinopharm vaccine – the third consignment of purchased vaccine from China.
Bangladesh received 4.5 million doses from China so far as purchased vaccines. Bangladesh initially signed a deal to purchase 15 million doses of vaccines from Sinopharm, which was expected to be delivered within three months.
After the fresh agreement, Bangladesh received 2.5 million doses of vaccines. Besides, China sent 1.1 million Sinopharm doses as a gift to Bangladesh in two consignments in July.
After receiving the first consignment, the country struck another deal for 15 million vaccines, including the previous 13 million vaccines under the first agreement.