Govt to procure 95m doses of vaccines, says Dr Zahed

Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman today said the government has planned to procure about 95 million doses of 10 different types of vaccines through UNICEF.

The move aims to strengthen the ongoing vaccination campaign across the country, he said.

Dr Zahed came up with the development at a weekly press briefing held at the conference room of the Press Information Department (PID) here this morning.

Additional Secretary of the ministry Mohammad Yasin and Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed were present.

Speaking at the briefing, Zahed Ur Rahman highlighted the progress of the activities of different ministries of the government.

He said the government has already provided US$ 83.6 million to UNICEF for the procurement of this huge amount of 10 types of life-saving vaccines, including MR, TD, BCG, TCV, Oral Polio (OPV) and Penta vaccine.

About the vaccine delivery, the adviser said several large consignments of vaccines first arrived in the country in May.

On 3 May last, 1.5 million doses of IPV arrived in the country, while another 1.5 million doses of MR and 9 lakh doses of TD vaccine on May 6, he said.

As of 10 May, he said, a total of about 13.2 million doses of vaccines reached the government.
As per the plan, Zahed Ur Rahman said, the entire supply of 95 million doses will be completed by September next.

The information adviser added, "Currently, there is adequate stock of TCV and HPV vaccines in the country. With this new supply, there will be no shortage of vaccines in the country for the next 8 to 12 months."

He said the cold chain system has been kept very effective to ensure the quality of the vaccine, while UNICEF is providing necessary technical support to this end.

Mentioning the importance of measles vaccination, the adviser said the target of administering the MR vaccine to about 18 million children aged between 6 months and 5 years has been achieved.

He urged guardians to take their children to the nearest vaccination centres if any one is left out.

Expressing regret over the recent deaths of children due to measles, he said vaccination and the creation of immunity through it require some time.

"The government is monitoring this situation very seriously. It is working to prevent child deaths at any cost," he said.

About energy security, Zahed Ur Rahman said the 'Modernisation and Expansion of Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL)' project has been undertaken till 2030 to ensure energy security.

After a three-week shutdown, ERL resumed operations on 8 May and there was no load shedding in the country till 11 May, he said.

He said a central control room will be set up in BRTA from 20-31 May to ensure safe travel of holidaymakers on the occasion of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.

POS machines will be installed at the toll plazas of 12 bridges by 20 May for automatic toll collection, the adviser said.

The Maritime Safety Week is being observed from 10-16 May to ensure safety on waterways, he said, adding that passengers are prohibited from boarding directly from boats on launches at Sadarghat.

He said special launch services are being arranged for passengers from Basila and Shimulia.