Sinopharm vaccine: Efforts underway to normalise things after price disclosure
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Fact Check
    • Family
    • Food
    • Game Reviews
    • Good Practices
    • Habitat
    • Humour
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wealth
    • Wellbeing
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
February 03, 2023

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Fact Check
    • Family
    • Food
    • Game Reviews
    • Good Practices
    • Habitat
    • Humour
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wealth
    • Wellbeing
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 03, 2023
Sinopharm vaccine: Efforts underway to normalise things after price disclosure

Covid-19 in Bangladesh

UNB
05 June, 2021, 01:55 pm
Last modified: 05 June, 2021, 02:01 pm

Related News

  • Bangladesh maintains balance in ties with US, Russia, India and China: FM
  • Twin shocks call for stronger domestic policy response
  • Rohingya repatriation to start soon: Chinese ambassador
  • Consider Bangladesh for industry relocation, Dhaka urges Beijing
  • It is high time to work together on more projects, investment areas: Chinese envoy

Sinopharm vaccine: Efforts underway to normalise things after price disclosure

Bangladesh has also written to relevant parties in China mentioning that it was an “unintentional” mistake to reveal the price of vaccine per dose

UNB
05 June, 2021, 01:55 pm
Last modified: 05 June, 2021, 02:01 pm
A nurse holds a vial of China's Sinopharm coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at a health center in Caracas, Venezuela March 7, 2021. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria
A nurse holds a vial of China's Sinopharm coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at a health center in Caracas, Venezuela March 7, 2021. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria

The government is putting in its best efforts through diplomatic channels to "make things normal" and procure 1.5 crore doses of Sinopharm vaccine from China as planned though the scenario looks "different" to some extent following price disclosure, officials said.

"The scenario looks different to some extent after the incident. We're doing our best to make things normal," a senior government official told UNB.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen had a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming and discussed the issue, among other things, explaining the whole scenario.

"Our Ambassador in Beijing is trying desperately with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He remains engaged," another official told UNB, mentioning that the price disclosure has given a lot of "inconvenience" to the Chinese company.

Revealing the contract price of the vaccine doses is against the "confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement" and the price for Bangladesh by Sinopharm is among the lowest in all countries, a diplomatic source said adding that the price also depends on who is procuring when.

Bangladesh has also written to relevant parties in China mentioning that it was an "unintentional" mistake to reveal the price of vaccine per dose.

On May 27, the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase approved a proposal for buying 1.5 crore doses of Sinopharm's covid-19 vaccine.

Right after the meeting, a Cabinet Division official told reporters at a briefing that they would purchase the vaccine at $10 per dose. It is not clear yet whether the government would be able to buy the Sinopharm vaccine doses at this price in the future.

A consignment of 20 million of China's Sinopharm vaccines is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka this month and is reported that Sri Lanka has purchased one dose of the vaccines at $15, according to the Daily Mirror.

Before the price disclosure, Bangladesh was assured by the Chinese government that they would keep 15 million vaccine doses for Bangladesh.

On the other hand, India is currently focusing on their own vaccination programme instead of export considering their domestic situation.

"I think you'd appreciate that against this background it wouldn't be right to talk about the supply of vaccines abroad just now. As we've repeatedly conveyed, we're currently proposing domestic vaccine production for our own vaccination programme," said Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

He said the government of India has been making all efforts to augment the availability of vaccines in India, whether through enhanced production in the country, or through supply from abroad. 

More Options

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said 6.80 crore doses of coronavirus vaccine will be available from the Covax facility under the World Health Organisation for 20 percent of our population, that is, for 3.40 crore people. Out of this 1.06 lakh doses have already been received.

Apart from India and China, there are plans to buy vaccines from the governments of China and Russia, Pfizer Co. from the USA and Sanofi/GSK from France/Belgium.

Negotiations are underway on procuring Sputnik-V vaccine from Russia, and, if necessary, manufacturing the same in Bangladesh.

The World Bank provided US$ 500 million for procuring COVID vaccines and US$ 14.87 million for logistics support.

Loan Agreement for US$ 940 million with the ADB to procure Covid vaccine is at the final stage. Alongside, there is a good possibility to receive support for vaccine procurement from the European Investment Bank and AIIB.

Plans have been worked out to vaccinate 80 percent of the people in phases, and people with risks will be vaccinated in the first phase. The first dose of vaccination began on February 7 while that of the second dose began on 8 April.

The registration for vaccination and distribution of vaccine certificates and vaccine cards are being done digitally through the surokkha.gov.bd web portal using National ID cards.

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has expressed his country's intention to provide around 30 million doses of vaccines manufactured in Japan to other countries and regions, including through the Covax Facility.

He said Japan will provide the vaccine doses when circumstances allow and at an appropriate time.

As one of the largest contributors to the Covax Facility, Japan welcomed the arrival of 106,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech's covid-19 vaccine to Bangladesh on May 31, which was made possible through the Covax AMC.

Japan said it will continue to cooperate with Bangladesh to suppress the spread of the covid-19 and overcome this unprecedented crisis, said the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka.

Share Vaccines

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has renewed his call for countries to share vaccines, particularly with those that are struggling to cope with new surges and variants.

He also renewed his call to the international community to come together to address the unprecedented challenge of the covid-19 pandemic.

"There's an urgent need for increased global solidarity to ensure that vaccines are available to everyone, everywhere," said his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

Equitable access to vaccines is a prerequisite to ending the pandemic and kick-starting a strong recovery, he said.

The UN welcomed the announcement made by the Biden administration that it will be sharing millions of vaccine doses with both the Covax facility as well as bilaterally with countries in particular need.

The Administration announced its framework for sharing at least 80 million US vaccine doses globally by the end of June and the plan for the first 25 million doses.

Also read: Will do our best to support vaccine rollout in neighbouring countries: India

Approximately 7 million doses will be shared in Asia covering countries and entities, including Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, the Maldives, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, and the Pacific Islands, according to the White House.

Top News

Covid -19 / Sinopharm / Sinopharm Covid-19 Vaccine / Sinopharm vaccine / covid-19 vaccine / Coronavirus Vaccine / Chinese vaccine / Bangladesh-China

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Photo: Bloomberg
    The China-Russia friendship is too big to fail
  • Infographic: TBS
    DNCC hospital asked to keep isolation ward ready as Nipah spreads to 28 districts
  • Gautam Adani. Photo: Bloomberg
    Adani's $108 billion crisis shakes investors' faith in India

MOST VIEWED

  • Incepta Pharma abandons Covid vaccine plan
    Incepta Pharma abandons Covid vaccine plan
  • Test tube labelled "Covid-19 Omicron variant test positive" is seen in this illustration picture taken 15 January, 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
    Tighter screening at ports urged as new Covid sub-variant BF.7 detected
  • Test tube labelled "Covid-19 Omicron variant test positive" is seen in this illustration picture taken 15 January, 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
    First case of new Covid sub-variant Omicron BF.7 detected in Bangladesh: IEDCR
  • Illustration: Collected
    Genome sequencing reports of Chinese nationals infected with Covid by Sunday: IEDCR
  • Computer image of a betacoronavirus which is the type of virus linked to Covid-19
    4 Chinese nationals detected with Covid at Dhaka airport
  • Omicron BF7: Land ports still left unguarded
    Omicron BF7: Land ports still left unguarded

Related News

  • Bangladesh maintains balance in ties with US, Russia, India and China: FM
  • Twin shocks call for stronger domestic policy response
  • Rohingya repatriation to start soon: Chinese ambassador
  • Consider Bangladesh for industry relocation, Dhaka urges Beijing
  • It is high time to work together on more projects, investment areas: Chinese envoy

Features

Andy Mukherjee. Sketch: TBS

What makes India's billionaires' support special for Adani

10h | Panorama
Photo: Rejaul Hafiz Rahi

A jackal farewell

11h | Earth
The trio spearheading the revival of book cover designs

The trio spearheading the revival of book cover designs

12h | Panorama
Six Jeep Wranglers and a special XJ Jeep Cherokee set out into the depths of Lalakhal, Sylhet for an experience of a lifetime. Photo: Ahbaar Mohammad

Jeep Life Bangladesh: A club for Jeep owners to harness the power of their vehicles

1d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

A proper price formula can help investors to plan big

A proper price formula can help investors to plan big

1d | TBS Round Table
Rumors about Sarika that everyone thinks are true

Rumors about Sarika that everyone thinks are true

1d | TBS Entertainment
Mugging rife in Tejgaon, murder in Wari

Mugging rife in Tejgaon, murder in Wari

1d | TBS Current Affairs
What secrets are hidden behind Adani's wealth?

What secrets are hidden behind Adani's wealth?

1d | TBS Stories

Most Read

1
Bapex calls candidates for job test 9 years after advert!
Bangladesh

Bapex calls candidates for job test 9 years after advert!

2
Leepu realised his love for cars from a young age and for the last 40 years, he has transformed, designed and customised hundreds of cars. Photo: Collected
Panorama

'I am not crazy about cars anymore': Nizamuddin Awlia Leepu

3
Photo: Collected
Energy

8 Ctg power plants out of production

4
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo
Economy

IMF approves $4.7 billion loan for Bangladesh, calls for ambitious reforms

5
Photo: Collected
Court

Japanese mother gets guardianship of daughters, free to leave country

6
Fund cut as Dhaka's fast-track transit projects on slow spending lane
Infrastructure

Fund cut as Dhaka's fast-track transit projects on slow spending lane

EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2023
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net