Covid-19 vaccination began across the country this morning.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque inaugurated the programme by addressing vaccination teams through video conferencing from the health directorate.
Later, the minister received vaccine at Sheikh Russel Gastroliver Institute and Hospital vaccination centre where five teams will inoculate 162 people today.
Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzak, Minister for Science and Technology Yeafesh Osman, Minister for Fisheries and Livestock SM Rezaul Karim, State Minister for Public Administration Forhad Hossain, President of National Technical Advisory Committee Dr Mohammad Shahidullah, Chief Coordinator of the burn units across the country Dr Samanta Lal Sen, President of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, BMA secretary Dr Ehteshamul Haque Choudhury Dulal, and president of Swadhinata Chikitshok Parishad Dr MA Aziz also took vaccine at Sheikh Russel Gastroliver Institute and Hospital centre.
Vaccination is underway at 1,005 centres across the country.
Two-day piloting was done with success on January 28.
The government's plan is to inoculate everyone aged over 55 and those of certain professions.
THREE HC JUDGES VACCINED AT BSMMU
Three High Court judges took coronavirus vaccine at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) this morning.
The judges -- Justice M Enayetur Rahim, Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman and Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque -- received the vaccine at 9:05am.
Some other judges of the Supreme Court may take the vaccine at BSMMU later, SC sources said.
VACCINATION AT DMCH
Dipankar Ghosh, an employee of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, took his first dose of Covid-19 vaccine at the DMCH Covid-19 Vaccination Centre after the countrywide mass inoculation drive kicked off in the morning.
He will take the second dose on March 8.
While talking to the media, he said he was not nervous since he, being an employee of the DMCH, was already aware about the vaccination process.
He got registered for the vaccination programme yesterday via online and did some necessary paperwork at the DMCH centre before being vaccinated.
He urged others to get vaccinated to stay safe.
DEPUTY MINISTER FOR EDUCATION GETS VACCINATED IN PORT CITY
Covid19 vaccination has started in Chattogram city with inoculating Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury at Chattogram Medical College Hospital around 10:45 am.
Dr Hasan Shahriar Kabir, Director (Chattogram division) of Directorate General of Health Services, and Dr Sheikh Fazle Rabbi, civil surgeon of Chattogram, also received the vaccine, among others, at the vaccination centre.
They were in the observation room under supervision of a medical team.
Four vaccination booths -- two for males and two for females -- were opened at CMCH.
Dr Rabbi, after receiving vaccine, told The Daily Star that he was fine.
KHULNA MAYOR RECEIVES VACCINE
Khulna City Corporation Mayor Talukder Abdul Khalek inaugurated Covid-19 vaccination by receiving the first dose in the district around 10:00am today.
Vaccines will be administered in 13 centres in Khulna city, nine centres in as many upazila health complexes and one in Jahanabad's Combined Military Hospital.
Khulna City Corporation Mayor Talukder Abdul Khalek receives the first dose in the district in the morning today. Photo: STAR
Registration process for vaccination is underway in the centres.
Khulna city mayor Khalek instructed to keep medical teams ready in all centres to monitor the health conditions of vaccine recipients.
Khulna Civil Surgeon Niaz Mohammad said that primarily Covid-19 vaccines will be given to 1.68 lakh people in the district. Of them, 48,960 people will get vaccines in the city area, he added.
Total 27 medical teams are ready in the vaccine centres, he said.
Meanwhile, the authorities concerned have been running vaccination campaign throughout the district.
DISTRICT CIVIL SURGEON RECEIVES FIRST DOSE IN BARISHAL
Vaccination is underway at 131 booths of 42 upazilas under Barishal division's six districts.
Already 1,767 frontliners, including doctors and health workers, have registered for the vaccine through the Surokkha app in the division, our Barishal correspondent reports.
Local lawmaker Nasreen Jahan Ratna inaugurated the vaccination programme under Barishal division at Bakerganj Upazila Health Complex in the morning.
Meanwhile, Barishal city Mayor Serniabat Sadik Abdullah launched the vaccination programme at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH).
The Department of Health trained 262 health workers and 524 volunteers for the immunisation programme. Barishal District Civil Surgeon Dr Monowar Hossain received the first dose of the vaccine at Bakerganj Upazila Health Complex.
After Dr Monowar, Dr Pijush Kanti Das, and former principal of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Dr Asit Bhushan Das received the vaccine at Barishal General Hospital and SBMCH centre respectively.
Till today, total 3.48 lakh vaccines have reached Barishal division.
VACCINATION IN SYLHET
Vaccination began at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital on 10:54am, by inoculating Sylhet City Councillor Taufiq Baksh Lipon.
A total of 700 people will be vaccinated on the first day.
A total of 52 booths have been set up in Sylhet district. Among them, 12 are at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, one at Police Lines Hospital, four at Combined Military Hospital, and 24 in 12 upazilas.
CUMILLA DC RECEIVES VACCINE
In Cumilla, the district's deputy commissioner Abul Fazal Mir received the vaccine at Cumilla Medical College Hospital around 10:00am, Civil Surgeon Md Neyatuzzaman confirmed.
DC, CIVIL SURGEON TAKE VACCINE IN CHAPAINAWABGANJ
Chapainawabganj Deputy Commissioner Monjurul Hafiz inaugurated the vaccination program by receiving the vaccine at 10:00am in Sadar Hospital.
Later, Civil Surgeon Dr Zahid Nazrul Chowdhury and staff of health department received their respective vaccine shots. People of the district will be given the vaccine at 20 centres.
