The first-run of the Covid-19 vaccination kicked off at five hospitals in Dhaka today.

Over 500 staffers of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Kurmitola General Hospital, Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Hospital and Mugda Medical College Hospital will take shots of the vaccine.

The BSMMU authorities started the campaign by vaccinating its Vice Chancellor Prof Kanak Kanti Barua.

State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak received the shot at BSMMU vaccination centre at 10:40am.

Health Minister Zahid Maleque, who visited BSMMU, told journalists, "Despite uncertainties, we have started the first-run of vaccination. Some noted personalities have taken the shots. It will encourage people to take the vaccine."

Anyone not able to register online, can come to the vaccination centres and register, the minister said.

The countrywide vaccination will start from February 7 in all districts and upazilas, he said.

Talking to media, the state minister for ICT said around 1,000 people have already registered online till this morning.

Health Secretary Abdul Mannan and eminent Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud also took doses of Covid-19 vaccine at BSMMU.

The health minister also visited CBRN Complex of DMCH where Covid-19 vaccination campaign was inaugurated at 9:55 am with vaccinating Dr Nurul Sattar Rumi.

Dr Nurul was followed by Dr Ismehan Ashraf, an indoor medical officer of medicine department.

Dr Ismehan Ashraf receives Covid-19 vaccine at DMCH. Photo: Shaheen Mollah

While talking to media, DMCH Director Nazmul Haque said they have a target to inoculate 100 health workers at four booths on the first day.

Prof Dr Nasima Sultana, additional director general (administration) of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), was present at the occasion.

"The first-run has started in five hospitals. Everything is going smoothly," she told this newspaper.

Dr Nasima, who was vaccinated yesterday after Prime Minister inaugurated the vaccination programme in Bangladesh, said she was in good health and there was no side effect till now.

Nasima was among the five who took the vaccine first in Kurmitola yesterday.

The health workers will be kept under observation for next seven days after receiving the vaccine.

Sixty people will be vaccinated in Mugda Medical College Hospital, 100 at DMCH, 200 at BSMMU, 100 at Kurmitola, 60 at Kuwait Friendship 60 on the first day.