On the occasion of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s birthday, the government has launched a special inoculation drive to administer the Covid-19 vaccine to as many unvaccinated people as possible.
At the end of the campaign, the health authorities will suspend administering first dose in the country, said Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Director General (DG) Dr Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam.
He said this in a press conference organized on the occasion of the launch of the special vaccination program across the country on Wednesday.
“We have already achieved our vaccination target in the country.Of the total population, 97% received the first dose of the vaccine, 90% received the second dose, and 41% received the third or booster dose. This special program is especially for those who are yet to receive the first and second doses of the vaccine,“ he further said.
The special vaccination program will continue for a week till October 3, however, the booster dose will continue, the DG added.
Khurshid Alam said that the authorities decided to discontinue administering first dose as there was a shortage of vaccines as well as some vaccines would expire.
When asked which company’s vaccines are expiring, he replied: “Not all vaccines come together. Different vaccines have been introduced at different times.”
He claimed that 30 million vaccines are currently available.
At the press briefing, Dr Shamsul Haque, member secretary of the Covid immunization program committee, said: While we still have vaccination program in the works, they won’t be available until the current supply of vaccines has run its course.
Asked whether the fourth dose of the vaccine will be admimiistered, Prof Khurshid Alam said that there was no plan yet. “The World Health Organization (WHO) has yet to issue any guidelines regarding this. If they give any instructions on this, then it will be done.”
He added that immunization programs for children between the ages of 5 and 11 will begin on October 11 at the district and upazila levels.
