5 lakh doses of Chinese Covid-19 vaccine handed over to Bangladesh

Five lakh doses of China's Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine have been handed over to Bangladesh today.

Chinese Ambassador Li Jiming formally handed over the vaccines to Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Health Minister Zahid Maleque at State Guest House Padma.

An aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force, carrying the vaccines and AD syringes, reached BAF Base Bangabandhu in Kurmitola, Dhaka in the morning, according to a BAF press release.

The C-130J transport aircraft left for China around 8:12am yesterday to bring the Chinese Covid-19 vaccines.

According to the BAF press release, the "goodwill mission" was conducted by the aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force to bring the vaccine and AD syringes provided by China to prevent coronavirus as a sign of China's friendly relations with Bangladesh.

The government has expressed gratitude to China for commendable efforts in combating coronavirus and for unwavering support to the various countries of the World including Bangladesh to prevent global outbreaks, the release said.

The Sinopharm vaccine is produced by Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Co Ltd, a subsidiary of China National Biotec Group (CNBG).

The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use, giving the green light for this vaccine to be rolled out globally.