Bangladesh has approved the final or phase-3 human trial of a proposed COVID-19 vaccine by China’s private Sinovac Biotech Ltd., which seemed to be a pioneer in a global race for developing inoculates against coronavirus (COVID-19), reports BSS.
“We have given approval to human trial for COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinovac in Bangladesh after examining all necessary research protocols,” Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque said in a press briefing at his ministry here today.
The health minister declared as Chinese company Sinovac has shown interest in carrying out human trials of the COVID-19 vaccine in Bangladesh, relevant government organizations have measured all necessary perspectives including the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine.
Zahid Maleque explained the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinovac as one of the most potential vaccine contestants in the world, saying the company (Sinovac) has already established the trial in Indonesia and they are franticly working to begin vaccine trials in many countries including Turkey.
Maleque told from the initial stage of the vaccine development process, Sinovac has attached Bangladesh as a top priority country to conduct a trial of coronavirus vaccine.
Bangladesh would be benefited immensely if the Chinese company Sinovac develops COVID-19 vaccines successfully within the shortest possible time, he mentioned.
“We’ll get one lakh vaccines for free… and Bangladesh will get priority to purchase adequate numbers of vaccines from the Chinese company. We’ll also extend all necessary cooperation to Sinovac for finishing their trial to contain the deadly virus,” Maleque added.
Secretary of Health Service Division Md Abdul Mannan, Director General of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Dr Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Director General of Directorate of Drug Administration Md Mahbubur Rahman, senior officials and experts from relevant organizations, among others, were present at the meeting.
On July 19, 2020, Bangladesh’s regulatory Medical Research Council (BMRC) extended “ethical approval” for the final or phase-3 human trial of a COVID-19 vaccine by Sinovac Biotech Ltd.
