Bangladesh
Covid-19 Vaccine Uncertainty looms over university reopening in July
Dhaka, June 14: The issue of reopening of university depends on the vaccination of students. However, authorities still cannot say anything clearly about the opening of dormitories of government universities and the starting of class-examination in person, after the two-dose vaccination even in two months.
Experts say there is a complication with the Chinese vaccine. Although China has given 1.1 million vaccines to Bangladesh as gifts, it is not certain when the paid vaccines will arrive. Therefore, students should be brought back to the educational institution as soon as possible by collecting vaccines from any other available medium instead of waiting patiently.
The Ministry of Education has been saying for some time that they have decided to vaccinate all the students and send them back to their residential halls.
"Six lakh doses of vaccine are coming from China. Vaccination of all students will be ensured with priority to residential students. Then the residential hall will be opened," Education Minister Dr Dipu Mini had said recently.
The six lakh dose of vaccine from China arrived on Sunday. After applying two doses of this vaccine, one has to wait until the antibody is made. In this case, a period of 28 days is usually required. As such, it is not possible to open the residential halls next July even after vaccinating all the university students.
"We hope to get 5 million doses of Chinese vaccine in June, 5 million in July and 5 million in August. Initially, we will make it a priority to vaccinate our university students. We are giving to teachers. We want them to start their normal education after receiving the vaccine," Health Minister Zahid Maleque had said during a May 31 virtual cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Asked about the latest information provided by the Ministry of Health to Dhaka University about the vaccine, the university's Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman said, "So far nothing has been reported. If anything, journalists will know in advance. It is not in our process. It happens nationally. There are vaccine management protocols."
