The Russian government has formally offered to transfer all relevant know how to produce the COVID-19 vaccine in Bangladesh.
Russia queried if Bangladesh has the capability to produce the vaccines in the country. It’s embassy in Bangladesh is now actively lobbying Bangladeshi authorities to approve the vaccine for Bangladeshis.
Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine has been developed by the Gamaleya research institute in co-ordination with the country’s defence ministry.
Industrial production of the Sputnik V will commence later this month. Already 20 countries have pre-ordered more than a billion doses.
Bangladesh has already secured cooperation from China and promise from the Oxford researchers for a vaccine.
Beximco Pharmaceuticals also recently signed a contract with India’s Serum Institute.
So far only China applied for conducting trial of a COVID-19 vaccine in Bangladesh to which the government provided a permission on 27 August. Sinovac will undertake phase-III trials in Bangladesh.
South Korea is providing COVID-19 test kits, RNA equipment, related materials and walk-through booths in the coming months to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It may be mentioned the Australian government has provided 12,000 high quality coveralls and 200,000 gloves funded through the Australian Department of Defence to the Bangladesh Armed Forces. The provision of the PPE underlines the increasingly strong relationship between the armed forces of Bangladesh and Australia.
