Two high school students received their first dose of Pfizer yesterday. At least 3.5 million vaccines have been donated by the United States. At present, students attend classes on alternate days.
Dhaka (AsiaNews) – Yesterday, Bangladeshi Health Minister Zahid Maleque inaugurated the vaccination programme for students.
Tahasan Hossain and Mahajabin Toma, two students attending the Ideal School and College in Dhaka, received the first dose of Pfizer under the eyes of their classmates.
Starting today, another eight schools will vaccinate children aged 12 to 17.
According to the plan, 5,000 schoolchildren will be vaccinated per day to start with increasing to 40,000.
Some 25 booths have been set up in each school to enable the Pfizer vaccine to be injected.
The United States donated the vaccine in late October, pledging to donate some 3.5 million doses by the end of November.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina instructed us to complete the student vaccination programme as soon as possible,” said Bangladesh’s Education Minister Dipu Moni, who was present at yesterday’s event.
“We are prepared if students have any problems after vaccination. But at least, this way the children will be able to go back to school.” At present, students have to attend classes on alternate days.
Tahasan Hossain expressed satisfaction after getting the jab. “Thanks to the vaccine, I'm no longer afraid of going to school,” he said.
“Our children will be safe and will be able to return to lessons worry-free,” said some parents, happy about the vaccination.
Bangladesh reported 214 new cases and two deaths yesterday. Since the start of the pandemic, the country has had 27,870 deaths.