Japan has provided 704,010 more doses of AstraZeneca vaccines to Bangladesh, bringing the total number of vaccines from the east Asian country to 4.5 million.

The doses arrived in Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka yesterday (Tuesday), according to a statement from the Japan embassy in Dhaka today.

In July and August, Japan provided over 3 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines to Bangladesh through the COVAX facility to meet the urgent needs of Bangladeshi people who had been waiting for vaccine.

Considering the fact that there are still many people who require Covid-19 vaccine in Bangladesh, and in light of the important relationship between Japan and Bangladesh, Japan decided to provide another 1.5 million vaccines to the people of Bangladesh.

"I am delighted that Japan has delivered another 704,010 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines to Bangladesh. We delivered over 4.5 million doses of vaccines for the Bangladeshi people since July," Ito Naoki, ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, said. 

"We hope this vaccine support will contribute to the Bangladesh government's efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19," he said in a statement.

"I would like to reiterate that Japan will stand by Bangladesh in the fight against Covid-19 and will work together to contain Covid-19," Ito Naoki said.