Weeklong Covid booster campaign to begin on 4 June

A weeklong countrywide special campaign for booster doses against Covid-19 will begin from 4 June till 10 June covering about two to three crore people, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said. 

The special drive will start at 9 am every day, a release issued by the health authorities said on Tuesday.

It also said that people above 18 years of age who received their second dose at least four months ago will be able to get the booster shots.

The applicants will be jabbed at their nearest vaccination centres and will not require any confirmation message, it added.

"During the campaign, booster doses will be given to 2-3 crore people," said Professor Meerjady Sabrina Flora, chair of the National Deployment and Vaccination Plan for Covid-19 Vaccines in Bangladesh.

However, the applicants will have to bring a printed copy of their vaccination cards. 

Meanwhile, the regular vaccination activities will continue without any interruption. 

The DGHS data shows that 1.51 crore people have taken the booster dose so far. Some 12.87 crore people have received the first dose while 11.75 crores received the second dose. At present, on average, 1.5 lakh people are vaccinated daily.

Bangladesh is the number one recipient of COVID-19 vaccines under COVAX

In one year, UNICEF has delivered over 19 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Bangladesh through COVAX.

To date, Bangladesh remains the top recipient of Covid vaccines under COVAX, the global initiative co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the World Health Organization, with UNICEF as a key delivery partner.

COVAX accounts for more than 62% of doses received by the country, according to a press release.

COVID-19 vaccinations started in Bangladesh in February 2021. UNICEF delivered the first COVAX shipment of vaccines to Bangladesh on 1 June 2021, at a time when only 4% of the population in the country was fully vaccinated.

"With the committed strong leadership of the Honourable Prime Minister, Bangladesh has shown incredible resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a continuous supply of vaccines and the hard work of dedicated health workers, we have been able to vaccinate the targeted population without wasting doses," said Dr Meerjady.

"Bangladesh's ability to absorb and roll out COVID-19 vaccines is a testament to what can be achieved when there is political commitment and an equitable supply of vaccines," said Mr Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh.

"Bangladesh with a 69% fully vaccinated population is close to achieving the global benchmark of 70% fully vaccinated population by June 2022. The success could not have been possible without COVAX support," said Dr Bardan Jung Rana, WHO Representative to Bangladesh.