Third-grader Nidhi Nandini Kunda of Abul Bashar Govt Primary School in Dhaka on Thursday became the first child aged between 5 and 12 years to get vaccinated against Covid-19 as the health authorities started a trial inoculation drive.
Nandini was among 16 children of grades one to five of the school who received the Pfizer vaccine, which has been specially formulated for children.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque inaugurated the program at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital at 12:30pm.
Zahid Maleque said at the inauguration: “We are starting the vaccination of children on a trial basis from today. The vaccination program will start in full swing on August 25. First it will start in city corporation areas, then gradually across the country.”
He added that the children would receive Pfizer's specially prepared vaccine, which is also used in the United States.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni said: “We have had great success in vaccination. Among students aged 12-18, 97% have received the first dose and 73% the second dose.”
Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Director General Prof ABM Khurshid Alam said the first round of Covid-19 vaccination for children would last for 12 days from August 25.
Bangladesh recorded another Covid-19 death with 214 fresh cases in 24 hours till Thursday morning.
With the latest numbers, the total fatalities reached 29,310 and the caseload 2,008,282, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily case positivity rate dropped to 4.45% from Wednesday's 5.09% as 4,806 samples were tested.