March 29, 2024, 3:00 am


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Published:
2020-08-27 23:29:37 BdST

Bangladesh approves Chinese Covid-19 vaccine trial 


The government has permitted icddr,b to run the Phase-III trial of a coronavirus vaccine developed by Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac in Bangladesh.

Health Minister Zahid Malque made the disclosure during a press briefing at the Secretariat in Dhaka today.

Earlier, the minister held a meeting with the icddr,b officials, source said.

Bangladesh Medical Research Council approved the vaccine in the middle of July more than a month after the icddr,b, local partner of Sinovac, submitted an application to the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) for a clinical trial of the vaccine.

The vaccine had its phase one and two clinical trials done in China "without showing any side effects”.

Zahid Maleque said, "We will allow the trial. However, only those who come voluntarily will be allowed to be part of the trial. Preference will be given to those who are involved in healthcare, including doctors and nurses."

"We will allow trials but in the case of getting vaccines, we have to be prioritised. Bangladesh will have to be at the top of the list of countries that will get the vaccine. Sinovac will bear the cost of the trials," he added.

Earlier, the Bangladesh Medical Research Council (BMRC) gave the go-ahead to Phase 3 trial of a Covid-19 vaccine developed by the Chinese company  Sinovac Biotech.

The vaccine will be applied to around 4,200 healthcare workers of seven Covid-19 dedicated hospitals in Dhaka during the trial period.

If the trial succeeds, Bangladesh will be in a pole position to get the vaccine for free or at a cheap price.

The healthcare workers of Mugda General Hospital, Dhaka Medical College Hospital Burn Unit-1, Kurmitola General Hospital, Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital, Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Hospital, Dhaka Medical College Hospital Unit-2, and Dhaka Mahanagar Hospital will participate in the trial.

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