The Sinovac Foundation has donated 383,000 doses of polio vaccine to Bangladesh

The Sinovac Foundation, a subsidiary of China’s leading vaccine manufacturer Sinovac Biotech Limited, has donated 383,000 doses of polio vaccine to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

According to a press release, the donation aims to strengthen and accelerate the government’s ongoing Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).

The vaccines were formally handed over at a ceremony held at the ministry’s conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday morning.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain, Chinese Embassy Cultural Counselor Li Shaopeng and Sinovac Biotech Chief Business Director LI Ning attended the event.

The polio vaccine — Poliomyelitis Vaccine, Vero Cell, Inactivated Sabin Strain (sIPV) — manufactured by Sinovac received World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification in 2022.

As part of global efforts to eradicate polio, Sinovac has already supplied the same vaccine to several international organisations, including the United Nations.

Speaking at the event, the health minister expressed gratitude to China and the Sinovac Foundation for extending support during what he described as a difficult time for Bangladesh.

He said China had once again demonstrated its role as a trusted development partner of Bangladesh.

The minister noted that although measles vaccines have already been arranged, diseases such as dengue, polio and hantavirus continue to pose growing threats.

“Addressing these diseases is now a challenge for the government. However, there is no shortage of vaccines for diseases such as polio and tuberculosis, and vaccination programmes are continuing,” he said.

Sakhawat Husain said nearly all children aged between six months and five years have already been vaccinated against measles, while the remaining children will receive vaccines soon.

He also announced that the nationwide Vitamin A Capsule Campaign would begin shortly.

The minister added that several field hospitals have already been prepared to tackle dengue outbreaks and more facilities would be added if necessary.

Speaking at the programme, LI Ning said Sinovac was proud to support Bangladesh’s national immunisation programme.

“We are pleased to donate 383,084 doses of WHO-prequalified polio (sIPV) vaccine manufactured by Sinovac to the Ministry of Health,” he said.

Describing polio as a serious infectious disease affecting children, he said vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent it.

“We hope this donated vaccine will further strengthen Bangladesh’s EPI programme, ensure children’s safety and contribute significantly to the country’s polio eradication efforts,” he added.

LI Ning also said Sinovac is committed to continuing cooperation with Bangladesh to improve public health services and further deepen friendship between the two countries.

Among others present at the event were Chinese Embassy Second Secretary Huang Moucong, Sinovac Head of International Regulatory Wang Peng, and senior officials from the ministry, EPI, the Department of Drug Administration and related agencies.