Aged 5-11: Dhaka kids to get Covid jabs first

Around 7.5 lakh schoolchildren, aged 5-11, in Dhaka city will get Covid-19 vaccine shots first, said Prof Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, director general of the health directorate.

After that, the campaign will be expanded across the country based on the availability of the vaccines, he told The Daily Star yesterday.

"There are around 3-3.5 crore schoolchildren countrywide. The education ministry will give us the exact number soon. But we have not enough vaccine jabs at this time. So, we will start this vaccination at schools in Dhaka city first."

Health Minister Zahid Maleque will announce the date of administering the vaccine and the detailed plan for the vaccination campaign soon, added Prof Khurshid.

On Saturday, 15,02,400 doses of specially prepared Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5-11 arrived in Dhaka in the first consignment under the global vaccine distribution arrangement called COVAX.

The health DG said the COVAX authorities have assured them that they will supply vaccine shots within the stipulated time.

Earlier, health officials said this vaccination campaign would begin this month.