Due to vaccine shortage, the government suspended administering the first doses from April 26.
However, the emergency authorisation of Sputnik V means there is no bar to importing and administering the vaccine in Bangladesh. Health officials said they can resume the first dose of vaccination once they get the Russian vaccine. The government will now bring the Russian Covid-19 vaccine to the country and it can be administered. Russia will give us 40 lakh doses in May and June, Maj Gen Mahbubur Rahman, director general of Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA), told The Daily Star.
He said Sputnik V will be administered as the first dose.
Stocks rise for eighth day
Star Business Report
Star Business Report
Stocks have continued to rise for the last eight days of trade due to increased participation of investors despite the coronavirus pandemic.
The DSEX, the benchmark index of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), rose 63 points, or 1.16 per cent, to stand at 5,498.21 yesterday.
There are many reasons behind the recent jump of the market despite the ongoing pandemic, said Sayedur Rahman, president of Bangladesh Merchant Bankers Association.
The world stock market is in a peak position amidst the pandemic and even the Indian market is also at a high level, he said, adding that India was witnessing a devastating deterioration of the pandemic.
The government is seriously considering importing Covid-19 vaccines from Sinopharm of China and Russia s Sputnik V in order to ensure continuation of the ongoing mass vaccination programme.
An eight-member committee formed by the government submitted a report yesterday shortlisting the two companies, said committee sources. We have analysed various sources of the vaccine. We found that Sinopharm and Sputnik V is suitable right now, Maj Gen Mahbubur Rahman, Director General of Drug Administration (DGDA), told The Daily Star.
With the Serum Institute of India failing to comply with the commitment to supply three crore vaccine shots in six instalments, the Bangladesh government started to explore alternative sources for the jabs, DGHS officials said.
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First jab of Covid vaccine suspended
Govt hopes to receive 1 lakh doses from Covax in May; another 20 lakh doses needed for second shots
Star file photo
Staff Correspondent
Staff Correspondent
The government suspended administering the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine yesterday, just a day after the Indian government said there will not be another shipment of the vaccine to Bangladesh anytime soon.
A circular issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) about the suspension didn t mention when the authorities might resume administering the first dose.
In another development, the DGHS said it needs 20 lakh doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to continue providing people with their second jab.