China has provided five lakh doses of its Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine to Bangladesh as a gift. The vaccines have reached Dhaka.

A special aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force, C130J, carrying five lakh doses of vaccine, reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport early Wednesday.

A source in the foreign ministry confirmed the news.

The vaccine will be handed over to the Bangladesh government at this noon. On this occasion, a handing over ceremony will be held at the state guest house Padma at 11:15 am. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will be present on the occasion.

The Sinopharm vaccine is produced by Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Co Ltd, a subsidiary of China National Biotec Group (CNBG).

The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use, giving the green light for this vaccine to be rolled out globally.