Take the jabs, maintain Covid guidelines: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged everyone to receive coronavirus vaccine shots and maintain proper health guidelines.
She asked all to wear masks and wash hands regularly even after taking the vaccine. She also requested all to take the second doses which have to be taken between eight and 12 weeks of the first shots.
Hasina said researchers are still trying to find out the effectiveness of the vaccine.
"At least it's giving the people protection, but you've to keep yourselves more protected," she said, reminding everyone to follow doctors' recommendations to avoid being infected.
Hasina was virtually addressing a discussion marking the International Mother Language Day from the Gono Bhaban. Awami League organised the programme at its 23 Bangabandhu Avenue central office.
Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 and the first death on March 18.
Until yesterday morning, the country recorded 543,717 cases, including 8,356 fatalities.
Bangladesh signed an agreement with the Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd for 30 million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
India also gifted Bangladesh 2 million doses of the vaccine last month. Bangladesh launched a countrywide vaccination drive on February 7. Although reluctant at first, people are receiving the vaccine en masse.
"We've collected vaccines [while] many countries couldn't. It was possible as I took measures in advance," the PM said.
AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader delivered the introductory speech at the programme from 23 Bangabandhu Avenue while its Publicity and Publication Affairs Secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap conducted the event from the Gono Bhaban.
Presidium members Matia Chowdhury, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Abdur Rahman, Joint Secretary and Information Minister Hasan Mahmud, Religious Affairs Secretary Sirajul Mostafa, Women and Children Affairs Secretary Meher Afroj Chumki, Cultural Affairs Secretary Asim Kumar Ukil, Dhaka South unit AL President Abu Ahammad Mannafi and Dhaka North unit AL President Sheikh Bazlur Rahman also spoke on the occasion.
One-minute silence was observed to show respect to all martyrs for establishing independent Bangladesh and democracy in the country.
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