The Bangladesh government aims to import some 2.5 to three million doses of Covid-19 vaccines at the primary stage, says the health services secretary.
Abdul Mannan revealed the information on Monday after a meeting on the country’s preparedness to tackle the second wave of Covid 19 pandemic.
The secretary said, at present, around nine companies are at the final stage of making the Covid-19 vaccine. “Bangladesh is in discussion with five of these companies.”
The human trial of the vaccine developed by Chinese company Sinovac Biotech Ltd is scheduled to start at any moment in the country. Russia has also expressed their eagerness to produce their vaccines in Bangladesh, he said.
Besides these countries, which have already started human trials, Bangladesh is also in discussion to obtain the vaccines being developed in India, France, and Belgium, Mannan added.
“Bangladesh will start vaccination once it’s started at any corner of the world,” he said.
Asked about the amount they are targeting, he said: “The government is primarily planning to import 2.5 to 3 million doses of vaccines.
“The frontline workers and elderly will get priority at the first stage.”
Talking about the corruption inside the health sector, the secretary said there was no scope for escape for anyone after being involved in corruption.
He claimed that the level of corruption has decreased in the sector and those who were involved in corruption have been brought under surveillance.
