Bangladesh to manufacture Russian, Chinese Covid vaccines
The federal government on Wednesday decided to manufacture coronavirus vaccine by local companies with the aid of Russian and Chinese technology.
The cabinet body has approved in principle medical Ministry’s proposal in this regard, said Dr Shahida Aktar, additional secretary of the Cabinet Division, while briefing reporters following the meeting.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal presided over the virtual meeting.
The government will purchase vaccine technology from Russian and China through direct procurement method (DPM), Dr Shahida Aktar said.
Russia’s Sputnik-V and China’s Sinopharm will be produced in Bangladesh using the facilities and logistics of different private pharmaceutical companies, she added.
According to officials, the National Immunisation Technical Expert Group had advised the government to seek alternative sources for vaccine after the supply of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine from Indian manufacturer Serum Institute of India became uncertain.
