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Family members of frontline workers who are aged at least 18 to get the vaccine shot, says Zahid Maleque
Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque has said Bangladesh has a stock of 10 million vaccines right now and by August the amount is expected to reach 20 million.
He made the announcement at a views exchange meeting with organizations and hospitals affiliated to the Bangladesh Private Medical College Association on Saturday.
The meeting was held to find ways to tackle Covid-19 pandemic, oxygen crisis, lack of hospital facilities, and to increase the number of beds.
He also said that the government had concluded several agreements with various agencies to procure 210 million vaccines, which would help vaccinate 80% of the population.
“We are working to bring everyone under the vaccination program. Even though health service workers continue to work, putting their lives at risk, there is unwarranted criticism, which is very sad. This has not happened anywhere in the world,” he said.
The health minister also urged private hospitals to allocate more beds for Covid-19 patients.
He said another 3 million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine were expected to arrive from China this week – on July 27 or 28.
Meanwhile, 245,200 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine reached Dhaka from Japan on Saturday at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Family members of frontliners to get vaccines
Family members of Covid-19 frontliners – who are over 18 years of age – will also get vaccines, said the health minister.
He said that the government had already given instructions over the matter. They would be able to register for vaccines through the Surokkha app.
He said that the government had earlier decided to vaccinate frontliners like doctors, nurses, health workers, armed forces members, police, and teachers on a priority basis. Now their family members, who are over 18 years old, would be eligible to get the jabs.
“We have taken permission from the prime minister and it is already in effect,” he said, adding that the information was being updated on the app.
He added that for those who could not use the app, there would be arrangements for them to get vaccinated as well.
“We will try to vaccinate them through using national identity cards. They will be registered later,” he said.
(DT)
