Bangladesh approves Pfizer's vaccine for emergency use

Bangladesh has approved Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use in the country.

The Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) on Thursday approved the Covid-19 vaccine manufactured in Belgium, according to a press release of DGDA. Director general of DGDA Major General Md Mahbubur Rahman signed the press release.

The approval was sought for emergency use of vaccine on 24 May.

With the latest approval, Bangladesh has approved four vaccines so far. Earlier the authorities granted approval for Covishield vaccine developed by India’s Serum Institute, Sputnik V developed by Russia and Sinopharm vaccine developed by China.

The Pfizer vaccine can be used on people above 12 years of age. The vaccine is given in two doses with a gap on 3-4 weeks in between. The vaccine need to be stored at a temperature of minus 90 to minus 60 degree Celsius. But the vaccine remains effective at a temperature of 2-8 degree for five days and 30 degree Celsius for two hours.