The uncertainty over the arrival of the rest of the coronavirus vaccine from India has led the policy-making level of the government to enter into discussions and diplomatic contacts on how to get the vaccine from other sources.
Initiatives to import vaccines from the United States, Russia and China are being taken. Besides, efforts are underway to produce vaccines in the country with the help of Russia, official sources said.
However, the government has formed a committee on April 19 to examine proposals from various sources of vaccines and make recommendations on the effectiveness and pricing. The committee must report within seven days.
The committee met on Wednesday and gave a positive opinion on the test in preparation for the import of vaccines from Moderna of USA, Russia's Sputnik-V and China Sinopharm International Corporation.
According to sources, the committee discussed about five vaccines in their first meeting held virtually. They did not show any interest in two of these vaccines. One is the Sinovac vaccine of China, which is less than 50 percent effective. The other is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is to be stored at a temperature of at least minus 20- degree Celsius. It is difficult for Bangladesh to store it. The committee also met on Thursday and next meeting will be held today (Friday).
Former Vice- Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and member of the National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 Professor Dr Nazrul Islam told the Bangladesh Post, “the second dose is reserved for those who have been given the first dose of vaccine. So, there will be no problem for them. But if we can't get vaccine quickly, there will be uncertainty about providing new vaccine. That is why, the government has already taken initiatives. Even today (Thursday) there has been a meeting about it. The other countries are also in crisis. But if Bangladesh had tried to find an alternative sources along with India earlier, there might not have been so many crises.”
The government had agreed to buy three crore doses of Oxford-Astra Zeneca vaccines from the Serum Institute of India through the private company Beximco of Bangladesh. According to the agreement, Bangladesh was supposed to get 50 lakh doses of vaccine every month.
However, Bangladesh received 70 lakh doses of vaccine in two shipments in January and February. Besides, the Indian government has given 32 lakh doses as a gift. But no consignment has come in the last two months. None can say when the next consignment will arrive.
But so far, the number of people who have received the first dose of vaccine has a shortage of about 12 lakh doses. The country needs about 6 crore doses in the short term and 11 crore doses in the long term, according to government sources.
On Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Masud bin Momen sent an urgent letter to Health Secretary Lokman Hossain Mia about the Russian vaccine. He said they were trying to obtain the Sputnik-V vaccine from Russia. Bangladesh's Ambassador to Russia has held a meeting with the management company of Russian Direct Investment Fund authorities there. They are keen to supply 40 lakh doses to Bangladesh from May to August, 2 crore doses from September to December and 3.60 crore doses from January to April 2022.
Meanwhile, Moscow has offered to produce the Russian Sputnik vaccine in Bangladesh through coordination with local pharmaceutical companies. According to the proposal, Russia will provide vaccine manufacturing technology and with its help Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies will produce vaccines locally.
Foreign Minister told reporters that efforts were being made to bring vaccines from Russia and China. According to Russia's proposal, their Sputnik vaccine is being considered for joint production in Bangladesh.
"The Russians have limited production capacity. That is why, they have offered us co-production in our country. We have agreed to their proposal but nothing has yet been finalized. Bangladesh has the capacity to produce vaccines jointly with Russia and it is possible to start production within three months,” he added.
Dr. Syed Shabbir Haider, Professor of the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology of Dhaka University told the Bangladesh Post, “Bangladesh is capable of 90 to 95 percent of the technology needed to make vaccines. There are at least 10 private companies that produce quality medicines. Their medicines are being exported to about 150 countries. There are also some companies that are making different types of vaccines, which are being used in EPI programs in our country. In addition, state-owned pharmaceutical companies are also capable of making vaccines. Besides, we also have the potential in manpower resources. There are basically two constraints, one is the bureaucratic complexity and the other is the raw materials for the production of the vaccine.”
“However, if Russia agrees to provide the technology and raw materials, there will be no barriers to vaccine production. It should be approved quickly without delay. If we can do this, we will be able to meet the vaccine deficit in the country and further improve our technology as well. At the same time we will be able to create our own vaccine,” he added.
Meanwhile, Renata Limited, a pharmaceutical company, has sought government approval to import moderna of US vaccines to Bangladesh privately. A letter from Renata to the health minister on Tuesday said the effectiveness of the moderna vaccine is 94.5%. So far this is the only vaccine that has not had any serious side effects. This vaccine is also much more convenient to preserve. Renata wants to make the vaccine available in Bangladesh market.
