DGHS: Only Covid-19 booster doses after Oct 3

The government is going to stop administering both the first and second doses of Covid-19 vaccine after October 3 while only continue administering the booster doses, informed the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Wednesday.

Director General of DGHS Prof Dr ABM Khurshid Alam informed the matter during a press briefing at DGHS headquarters and said that a special vaccination campaign will begin from Wednesday on the occasion of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s birthday which will continue till October 3.

“This special programme is launched for those who are yet to get the first and second doses of vaccine. After that, only the booster doses will be administered.” he added.

The decision was made due to shortage in stocks, Dr Khurshid said, adding that, validity of remaining vaccine jabs will expire soon.

According to the DG, some 97 per cent of the total eligible population has received the first dose and 90 per cent received the second dose while only 41 per cent people received the booster doses till now.

Besides, the inoculation of people aged between 5 to 11 years, will start at upazila and district level from October 11, Dr Khurshid said, adding that, vaccination of this age group started on August 25 but it was limited in city corporation areas.

Besides, Dr Shamshul Haque, member secretary of the vaccination deployment committee of DGHS, said that the DGHS has ensured enough supply of vaccine jabs for the country.

“We have enough jabs in the pipeline. But without administering the remaining stocks we cannot bring more vaccine doses,” he added.   

Talking about the second booster dose, Prof Khurshid said that the World Health Organization (WHO) is yet to provide any direction regarding the fourth dose (second booster dose) of covid-19 vaccine.