Health Minister Zahid Maleque has said the government will take a decision on the use of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by a Chinese company in the country after consulting with the National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC).
He made the remark while addressing a media briefing at the Secretariat on Wednesday afternoon, according to a press release.
“The government is keeping an eye on the effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccine being developed by other countries as well. The government will take a final decision based on whichever option is the best for the country,” the health minister said.
On Sunday, the Bangladesh Medical Research Council (BMRC) approved the trial of Covid-19 vaccine developed by the Chinese company Sinovac Research and Development Co Ltd for its Phase-III trial in Bangladesh.
The trial will be conducted at seven hospitals dedicated for Covid-19 patients from August. The Chinese company has already conducted the Sars-CoV-2 “inactivated” Vaccine (Phase I and Phase II) trial in china.
It was also reported that Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming will volunteer to be the first participant in the phase III trial of a Covid-19 vaccine candidate in Bangladesh.
The development came after Deputy Chief of Mission at Chinese Embassy in Dhaka Hualong Yan had said on June 21 that Bangladesh will get priority in terms of cooperation and support if China can successfully develop vaccine for the coronavirus.
