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

The Bangladesh Medical Research Council (BMRC) 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.

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

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

The healthcare workers of the following hospitals will participate in the trial –

• Mugda General Hospital
• Two units (unit 1 and 2) of Dhaka Medical College Hospital
• Kurmitola General Hospital
• Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital
• Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital and
• Mohanagar General Hospital

The vaccine will be administered to the healthcare staffers who are not infected with Covid-19 as they are exposed to the disease. It will be examined whether and how much antibodies against Covid-19 grow in their bodies.

Source:

https://www.thedailystar.net/coronavirus-deadly-new-threat/news/govt-permits-icddrb-run-phase-iii-trial-chinese-covid-19-vaccine-1951841

https://www.thefinancetoday.net/article/covid-19/13267/Bangladesh-approves-Chinese-Covid-19-vaccine-trial%C2%A0