‘Bangladesh in talks with at least 5 vaccine makers’

Nine vaccine companies of the world are now in the final stages of trials.

Bangladesh is in talks with at least five of them to get the vaccine.

China's Sinovac can start trials at any time and Russia has also shown interest in producing its vaccines in Bangladesh.

Health Secretary Abdul Mannan said this to the media after a special meeting, on the overall national preparations for the second wave of Covid-19, at the secretariat on Monday.

Bangladesh is also trying to get vaccines from France and Belgium alongside India and Russia, Mannan said.

"France and Belgium have already applied to the government of Bangladesh to conduct vaccine trials here."

The health secretary also said the government has made all the preparations including the financial one to get the vaccines quickly.

"If a vaccine is applied to the commoners of any country, it will be used in Bangladesh, too, at the same time."

Asked about the quantity of Covid-19 vaccine import, the secretary said the government initially plans to bring at least 2.5 million to 3 million vaccines.

"The vaccine will be given first to the frontliners and elderlies, on a priority basis. Then gradually steps will be taken to apply it to the general public."

However, Mannan also said no one will get away with corruption in the health sector anymore.

"Corruption in the sector has already been curbed a lot. The areas which have not been dealt with, so far, has been kept under close tabs, too."