Runu Veronica Costa, a nurse of Kurmitola General Hospital, received the first COVID-19 vaccine in Bangladesh as the country began the vaccination drive on Wednesday.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the vaccination drive connecting virtually from her official residence Gana Bhaban with the vaccination event at the hospital about 4:05pm.
State-run BTV telecast the event live.
‘I’m glad that we have succeeded in collecting the vaccines and hope we could protect our people with the vaccination against coronavirus,’ said Hasina as she officially inaugurated the vaccination.
She also expressed her condolence at the loss of lives due to COVID-19.
‘Please work and help us to make the vaccination campaign a success,’ PM said.
While inaugurating the programme Hasina asked Runu if she was afraid and the nurse replied in the negative.
‘You are so courageous to receive the vaccine first. We are proud of you,’ Hasina complimented her.
Followed by Runu, KGH doctor Ahmed Lutful Moben, Directorate General of Health Services additional director general Nasima Sultana, police officer Didarul Islam of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Brigadier General Emran Hamid of Bangladesh Army received the jab, which prime minister witnessed.
Bangladesh plans to begin the mass vaccination on February 7, after vaccinating about 500 healthcare providers in four other hospitals in the capital.
The vaccinated healthcare providers will be observed for a week.
Bangladesh has so far secured 70 lakh doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India.
