Reza Mahmud :
Vaccine is the only way to get safe from the fatal coronavirus infection as there is no medicine yet for treatment of the disease in the world.
Countries joined rally either for production or for procurement of vaccines to fight the fatal virus.
But Bangladesh has not yet written its name in any of such processes which may be the cause of long lasting suffering from the dangerous disease.
Experts said, as a densely populated country, Bangladesh is in serious threat from the virus. The situation would be more vulnerable for the people if no step is effective regarding attainment of a vaccine soon after its availability.
Getting a vaccine might be an only way to get rid of grave situation, experts said.
It is not known which country’s vaccine will be available in market at what time, countries are already competing to procure or already has ordered or booked in advanced.
Bangladesh is yet to join in any rally of research or shown any interest for its production as far as known.
Public health experts expressed anxiety over the matter and urged the government to join any research or procurement process with reliable sources.
“We all know there is yet to discover a specific drug to treat Covid-19 patients, the vaccine is the only way to prevent the grave disease. In these circumstances, the government should start early procurement process or research work with any reliable countries which have advanced their work of inventing the vaccine,” Professor Dr. M. Muzaherul Huq, former Advisor of World Health Organisation told The New Nation.
He warned that delay of taking a timely decision can be a continued risk of contamination in our people leading to more death.
Sources said, it is expected that countries will be competing to get the vaccine first or before others because it is believed that vaccine can only prevent Corona infection and save life.
There are many countries as candidates in research with many manufacturers and institutes to develop the vaccines.
China, Russia, UK, USA are also among them. There are Asian countries like Indonesia, India, Malaysia and Singapore are also in partnership in research to develop the vaccine.
Meanwhile, ‘Globe Biotech’, a Bangladeshi pharmaceutical company initiated to invent such a vaccine, but the government yet has said anything about it.
Besides, the Chinese offer of participating in a trial in Bangladesh is also not confirmed.
Health Minister, Zahid Maleque told journalists that the government will take decision regarding the Chinese vaccine trial after consulting with the National Technical Advisory Committee of Covid-19.
“It seems Bangladesh with its present vaccine availability for its citizens is in uncertainty or late in its approach,” Professor Muzaherul Huq said.
He said Bangladesh need to take quick decision about which vaccine can we look for and how to make it available and of course how soon.
