Second dose of vaccine to be administered from 8 April

The second dose Covid-19 vaccine will be administered in the country from 8 April, said Prof Dr Mirzady Sabrina Flora, additional director general (Research and Planning) of the health directorate and chairman of the vaccine deployment committee.

"Plans have been made to give the second dose of the vaccine 8-12 weeks after the first dose on the advice of the World Health Organisation," she said while responding to a question from reporters following the inauguration of the new building of the Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD).

Everyone who have taken the first jab will be notified through SMS to the mobile number given on the vaccine card.

"There is nothing to worry about. Subsequent vaccination programmes are being extended after confirming the second dose of those who have been vaccinated with the first one," she added.

However, the health department is focusing more on hygiene than enforcing strict measures to prevent the spread of infection.

"It is advisable to keep the public movement limited and follow the hygiene," said Meerjady Sabrina Flora.

When asked about the higher infection rate among the youth, Prof Flora said the virus can infect any person at any age.

She also acknowledged that the UK variant has an impact on the rising number of infections in the country.

The vaccine deployment committee chairman further said the minimum age for vaccination will remain 40 for the time being, adding that there is no age limit for those who are receiving the vaccine on a priority basis.

"We will bring down the age limit again when everyone on the primary list is vaccinated," she said.

Replying to a question about the rise in infections at the present time, Prof Flora said, "In any case, maintaining hygiene is a prerequisite for Covid prevention, but many of us ignore it and we think that is a big reason behind the increase in infections."

On the occasion, Health Secretary Abdul Mannan said the next shipment of vaccine is expected to arrive in the country during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Dhaka on 26 March or immediately after that.

"However, the vaccine shipment of March may arrive in the first week of April", he added.