Bangladesh
Covid-19 Vaccine Age limit for coronavirus vaccination to be lowered to 18
Dhaka, July 23: The age limit for coronavirus vaccination is being reduced to 18 years. Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Friday (July 23rd) instructed Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services Prof Dr Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam to reduce the age limit at the behest of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The decision will be officially announced soon.
When asked, Dr. Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam said that those who are working as a 'front liner' in the prevention of coronavirus infection, among their family members under the age of 18 will be vaccinated first. Subsequently, ordinary citizens aged 18 years and above will be brought under the vaccination.
Dr Alam said it on Friday, the third day of Eid, while visiting Mugda General Hospital, Kurmitola General Hospital and Mohakhali Gastroliver Hospital.
"I found out during the three visits to the hospital that 97 percent of the patients did not get vaccinated. Most of them are over 50 years old. The relatives of the patients said that they were not vaccinated and some of them were afraid to get vaccinated. Some did not even take treatment at the beginning," he said.
"Ninety-eight percent of the critically ill patients admitted to Kurmitola General Hospital are from outside Dhaka. We are prepared to handle coronavirus patient stress. It has also been suggested to set up field hospitals in different districts for patients outside Dhaka," he added.
