Bangladesh began distributing the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine on 8th February. Now, 10 months later, it has started administering a third dose.
Though boosters were available in some Dhaka locations on Tuesday, it will take a few more days to start administering the doses outside the capital, the Directorate General of Health Services said.
The Pfizer vaccine is being used for the third dose, in accordance with WHO guidelines.
According to the vaccination centre’s information, 102 booster doses were administered by 12:15 pm on Tuesday.
Boosters were also administered at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, better known as Pongu Hospital.
“We are ready to administer booster doses. SMS messages have been sent out to frontline workers and those over 60 according to their serial number. They have been asked to come on their assigned day. We are administering vaccines to expatriates at this centre and will continue that programme alongside the booster doses.” said Deputy Director Md Saiduzzaman .
Minister of Health and Family Welfare Zahid Maleque launched the booster dose programme on a test basis on Dec 19.
The boosters will be given to any citizen over the age of 60 or people who are at risk due to being on the frontlines of the pandemic. The dose will be made available to an eligible person if six months or more have passed since the second dose of the vaccine.
