Booster dose campaign to start Sunday: Minister

Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Saturday said the Covid-19 booster dose campaign will begin on trial at Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (BCPS) in the capital’s Mohakhali on Sunday (December 19).

“Primarily, senior citizens and front liners will be given priority. The number of booster dose recipients will increase gradually,” he said.

The health minister came up with the disclosure at a programme as the chief guest at the Manikganj Subhro Centre in Sadar upazila in the afternoon.

The programme was organised to distribute stipends, corrugated tins and winter clothes among the students and poor people.

Manikganj Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Abdul Latif, Additional Superintendent of Police Hafizur Rahman and UNO of Sadar Mohammad Iqbal Hossain were present at the programme, among others.

On Friday, he said, “Those aged over 60 and seriously ill will be jabbed with a booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine. The government is going to start the programme next Sunday or Monday across the country.”

He added: “The second wave of the pandemic has come under control in the country. Now, we need to be more careful, so that no more waves hit this winter.”

The health minister also urged the people to abide by the health guidelines along with getting the Covid-19 vaccine.

Earlier, the National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) on Covid-19 recommended booster shots to citizens above 60 and front liners.