Feeling well receiving vaccine: 1st vaccine recipient Runu

Runu Beronica Costa, a nurse of Kurmitola General Hospital who took the first vaccine dose in the country, has said she took the vaccine willingly and is feeling good now.

"I am physically sound after getting vaccinated. I will urge all to be inspired seeing me. I took the vaccine voluntarily. No one should be afraid of the vaccine," she said on Wednesday evening.

Earlier on the day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself asked nurse Runu Beronica Costa whether she was afraid to receive the Covid-19 vaccine first in Bangladesh, Runu replied in negative.

"You are very brave," the premier said lauding her courage to take the first jab at Kurmitola General Hospital on Wednesday afternoon.

The vaccination drive began from the hospital and PM inaugurated the drive through videoconferencing from Ganobhaban.

Followed by her, four more government officials- Dr Ahmed Lutful Moben, Professor Dr Nasima Sultana, Police officer Didarul Islam and Brigadier General M Imran Hamid were vaccinated first today.

The Covid-19 vaccination programme is aimed inoculating 20 percent of the population that means for 3.40 crore people, with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine- Covidshield, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.

Around 25 more people including renowned dentist Dr Arup Ratan Chowdhury, Red Crescent Chairman Hafiz Ahmed Mozumder, Central Police Hospital doctor Afroza Zahin and nurse Mosharraf Hossain, police sergeant Abdur Rahim will receive the vaccine at Kurmitola General Hospital.