Bosnia and Herzegovina will be among the first countries in the world to acquire vaccines against COVID-19 thanks to a contract the country signed with Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said on Thursday.

Bosnia has ordered 1,232,000 doses of the potential vaccine for 20 percent of the population with an average cost of US$ 10.055, the ministry said.

Bosnia will have the same opportunities for vaccine procurement as other signatory countries to the agreement, and further notifications from the World Health Organization, the Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) on potential producers and deadlines for the delivery are expected in the coming period.

The transparency of the process is guaranteed by the World Health Organization, GAVI and CEPI, the ministry said.