Bangladesh out to procure 5m Sputnik V jabs from Russia: FM

Bangladesh wants to procure five million Sputnik V vaccines from Russia as early as possible in a bid to fight against coronavirus, reports UNB.

"Health Ministry is working to that end," said Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen, adding that Bangladeshi companies are also interested in co-production of vaccines with Russia if the approval is given.

Outgoing Russian ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander I. Ignatov met the Foreign minister at his office on Sunday and discussed the issue.

Brazil has become the 67th country where Sputnik V is authorised for use. Sputnik V ranks second among coronavirus vaccines globally in terms of the number of approvals issued by government regulators.

The Foreign minister sought cooperation from the outgoing ambassador so that Bangladesh could procure vaccines from Russia quickly. The Russian ambassador is scheduled to leave Dhaka on 8 June as he wrapped up his tenure in Dhaka.