Bangladesh will collect Covid-19 vaccines for 34 million people, which is 23 per cent of its total population, phase by phase by 2021, an official said on Thursday.
These vaccines will be provided to people on priority basis, through co-financing with GAVI (the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation).
Besides, the decision of third phase trial of Sinovac vaccine here, which is developed by China, depends on the Ministry of Health and the Prime Ministers' Office.
These were revealed during an advocacy meeting on Malaria and Dengue at the DGHS office in the city's Mohakhali area.
Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Director General Professor Dr Abul Bashar Mohammed Khurshid Alam was present as the chief guest at the programme.
The officials of DGHS and Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), however, expressed different opinions in the programme on the rate of transmission of Covid-19 in the country at present.
Some officials expressed concern, saying that the transmission rate can rise within no time unless social distancing is maintained and all people use mask, as there are examples of second wave in many countries.
The DGHS officials also confirmed to go for antigen test in those areas, where PCR test is not available.
In a question answer session, Line Director of DGHS EPI programme Dr Md Shamsul Haque said some 141 vaccines have been developed so far and 25 are in human trial stage.
Among the vaccines, three are from China, one from Oxford, one from Moderna, and one from Pfizer company.
It has been decided during the Global Vaccine Summit 2020 in June that all countries should have access to vaccine equally.
But 3.0 per cent population will get vaccine in the first place. This group includes doctors, nurses, law-enforcers, administration officials, and journalists, who are considered as the front-liners.
The second group consists of people having comorbidity and people who are in their 60s, said Dr Shamsul Haque.
GAVI has planned to procure 2.0 billion doses by 2021, considering these two groups, and to form a fund in this regard.
Bangladesh submitted expression of interest (EOI) to GAVI to contribute to that fund on July 09, which the organisation has approved.
"It will not be correct to say when the vaccine will come, as it depends on human trial result. But Bangladesh will get 5.1 million doses of Covid vaccine through co-financing facilities with GAVI for the 3.0 per cent population," he noted.
"Then the country will get vaccine for 20 per cent people with comorbidity and above 60 years of age by 2021 in phases."
The modalities of the vaccine will be fixed at the GAVI board meeting in September, he added.
"We are prepared, if the vaccine comes after three months. But EPI alone cannot implement the planned Covid vaccination programme, as it is an adult vaccine."
"That's why we will need support from IEDCR and Communicable Disease Control (CDC), DGHS, as they have experiences on new vaccines."
He informed that a software has already been developed on the logistics support for 34 million doses of vaccine.
Dr Shamsul Haque acknowledged that Tk 7.65 billion allocation from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-financed projects of DGHS for purchasing 2.25 million doses of vaccine depends on the government decision.
Additional Director General (Administration) Professor Dr Nasima Sultana said the Covid-19 infection rate in the country has declined recently. Previously it was 20 percent, then it came down to 18 percent, and it was 16 percent on Wednesday.
"But we cannot reduce the death rate. It is still high. Today 54 people died, which is very high."
One reason behind the situation may be that the Covid patients are coming to hospitals in the last hour after passing much time at home and taking treatment through telemedicine services.
The DG advised that the Covid patients with comorbidity should not receive treatment at home. They must come to hospitals, as they need continuous monitoring and extra support, which are available there.
Answering to another question, Additional Director General (Planning) Professor Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora said the transmission rates are different in different parts of the country.
The rate has increased in border areas, Dinajpur, Rajbari and Chuadanga, while it has decreased in some other areas, she added.
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