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PM to decide on Covid-19 vaccine trial: Minister


Published : 12 Aug 2020 09:33 PM | Updated : 06 Sep 2020 07:57 PM

Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Wednesday said that they would meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina next week on the Covid-19 vaccine.

He told the cabinet committee meeting on government’s purchase that the decision on the Chinese vaccine trial in Bangladesh would also be finalised after the meeting.

He made the comment as countries are racing to obtain the vaccine as soon as they become available. Russia has announced the approval of the first vaccine in the world.

Many countries are signing agreements with Oxford University and paying in advance so that they can get the shots once successful.

 China’s Sinovac sought Bangladesh government’s approval to conduct the phase 3 trial in Dhaka.

 The health minister said they were continuing negotiations with different companies on buying vaccines.

 “The meeting with the prime minister will make decisions on advance payment,” he said.

 Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, who presided over the meeting, said he conveyed to the health minister that money would not be a problem in buying vaccines.

 He also suggested the health minister not to bank on any single source as many countries were working on the vaccine.

 He said an Indian company has signed a deal for the Oxford vaccine.

 “If we cannot reach Oxford directly, we can go for a contract at least with the Indian company,” he said.

 He also recommended exploring options with Russia since they have already started using the vaccine.

 As of Wednesday, Bangladesh confirmed 266,498 cases of Covid-19 and 3,513 deaths.