BD researchers working on developing corona vaccine

Researchers from University of Birmingham, Heriot-Watt University, BRAC University, and BUET are working on assessing and developing a vaccine cold-chain for rapid and mass immunisation for COVID-19 in the country, according to a statement.

The team from BRAC University comprises Dr Farzana Munshi, professor of Economics, and Ahsan Senan, lecturer of economics. The on-going project will run from August 2020 to February 2022. The project is supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF).

Mass vaccination for COVID-19 will need to deliver vaccines to people globally at scale and speed never before considered. Bangladesh has one of the world's largest pharmaceutical and vaccine industries, with a vaccination framework supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the World Health Organisation (WHO). However, like many countries, it still lacks the capacity to deliver unprecedented, fast-track mass vaccination.

The team is trying to design the right system to meet the challenge in the most sustainable and financially efficient way for Bangladesh. Researchers will assess different intervention scenarios for mass COVID-19 vaccination, providing Bangladesh's policy makers with critical information and proposals that will help shape the country's immunisation strategies and priorities, the statement added.