The COVAX initiative for equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines has announced that Bangladesh will receive 12.79 million doses of the Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine by June this year. The COVAX published its first interim forecast on Wednesday.<br />'' <br />'' COVAX is co-led by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Gavi vaccine alliance, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.<br />'' <br />'' The vaccine is being provided to countries in proportion to their population. Apart from Bangladesh, in South Asia, India will get 97.2 million, Pakistan 17.2 million, Nepal 2.2 million, Sri Lanka 1.6 million, and Bhutan and Maldives 1.08 lakh doses of vaccine each.<br />'' <br />'' According to the statement released by the COVAX, it will distribute 337.2 million doses of the vaccine all over the world. The first deliveries are expected to begin in early February. The COVAX aims to reach at least 3 per cent of population coverage in all countries in the first half of the year to protect the most vulnerable groups such as health care workers.<br />'' <br />'' Bangladesh has already received 5 million doses of the vaccine from the Serum Institute of India (SII) under its agreement to purchase 30 million doses of the Oxford University AstraZeneca vaccine. Earlier, India provided 2 million doses of the vaccine to Bangladesh as a gift.<br />'' <br />'' Bangladesh is moving ahead with the preparation to launch its nationwide vaccination program for COVID-19 from Sunday. Health Minister Zahid Maleque told media persons in Dhaka on Thursday that close to 1.5 lakh people have been registered to receive the vaccine when it is launched on 7th February.<br />'' <br />'' In the meanwhile, the death toll due to Coronavirus in Bangladesh has gone up to 8175 with 13 deaths reported on Thursday. The recovery rate has gone up to 89.74 per cent in the country.<br />''