The Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) of Bangladesh on Tuesday (June 15, 2021) approved Janssen single-dose Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use in the country.

In a statement, the DGDA said people aged 18 or above can be inoculated with the Janssen vaccine doses. 

This is the sixth Covid-19 vaccine to get DGDA nod for emergency use, but the first single-dose jab approved in the country.

The other approved vaccines are: Covishield produced by Serum Institute of India, Sputnik V of Generium Joint Stock Company of Russia, Sinopharm by Beijing Institute of Biological Products Co. Ltd of China, Pfizer vaccine by Pfizer Manufacturing Belgium NV, and Coronavac produced by Sinovac Life Sciences Ltd of China.

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The Janssen vaccine, developed by Belgian drug manufacturer Janssen-Cilag International NV, received approval from the World Health Organization on March 12 and of European Medicines Agency (EMA) on March 11.

Other regulators like the World Health Organization, the Food and Drug Administration of the United States of America and Health Canada also approved this vaccine for emergency use.

The vaccine, which was found to be 67% effective in preventing Coronavirus, can be stored at fridge temperatures ranging between 2-8°C, facilitating easy distribution.

Also read: Second consignment of Sinopharm vaccine arrives

Worsening Covid situation in Bangladesh

The Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh continues to worsen as 50 new deaths and 3,319 infections were recorded in 24 hours till 8 am on Tuesday.

The positivity rate fell slightly to 14.27% on Tuesday from Monday’s 14.80%, said a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

With the new figures, the country’s death toll now stands at 13,222 while the caseload at 833,291.

During the period, the fatality rate remained static at 1.59%, shows the DGHS handout.

Also read: Bangladesh continues to report alarming Covid deaths

Vaccination with Pfizer, Sinopharm shots to start June 19

Bangladesh will start administering Sinopharm and Pfizer vaccine doses from June 19, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said on Monday.

A consignment of 600,000 doses of China’s Sinopharm jabs arrived in Bangladesh on Sunday, nine days after the arrival of the first batch of 500,000 doses gifted by Beijing. Bangladesh also received 100,620 doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine on June 1.

The health minister earlier said Pfizer vaccine shots will be given at four centres in Dhaka to those who have already got registered.

Also read: Why do some people get side effects after COVID-19 vaccines?

Vaccine procurement update

Bangladesh will soon receive 10 lakh and 800 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine soon under COVAX facility, said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Friday.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the US conveyed the message of this development to the Foreign Minister.

Bangladesh, earlier sought 2 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine doses from the US for addressing Bangladesh's immediate needs but the US is yet to reply to that particular request.

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