Some now paying bribes for jabs
There is a shortage of vaccines, centres are being provided with only a limited number of doses, and many people are waiting in line but returning unvaccinated.
But for the right amount of money, slipped from one palm to another, one can cut the line at certain centres.
During the countrywide mass vaccination campaign, ward commissioners and their officers have been activated to provide the vaccinations.
At Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur-10, our correspondent observed how crowds were unable to get in through the door without paying Tk 200-300.
Throngs of angry vaccine-seekers gathered in front of the closed gates of the centre and a brawl broke out yesterday.
"I came here yesterday [Sunday] to get the vaccine, but I was told that they were out of vaccines, so I was asked to come back today [Monday], and I did. But I am not being let in through the gates," said a woman.
Another man described how a vaccine seeker standing behind him cut the line by paying a "volunteer". "He came out and showed me his vaccination card," said the man.
People paying were being let in through a pocket gate at the back, observed our correspondent.
The "volunteers" taking money from the vaccine seekers were local political cadres, alleged the locals to our correspondent.
A similar situation was observed in Chattogram City Corporation Hospital by our correspondent, who interviewed around 10 vaccine seekers, all of whom alleged that a bribe of Tk 150 is needed to get the vaccine.
The bribe was being taken by volunteers assisting in the operation of the vaccination point, they said.
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