Covid-19 vaccine: Uncertainty looms over 2nd dose of around 22,000 Bagerhat residents

Uncertainty looms large over getting the second dose of Covid-19 vaccines for around 22,000 residents in Bagerhat. Many were seen returning without being inoculated from vaccination centres today, despite showing up on their scheduled date.

In the first phase of the vaccination program, 54,784 people were inoculated in the district, while 32,000 got vaccinated in the second phase. Around 22,000 are still waiting to receive the second dose but the allotment of vaccines for the district is already over, reports our Bagerhat correspondent quoting authorities

Many were upset while returning empty-handed from the Bagerhat Sadar Hospital today.

"I got registered and took the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine. Today was the scheduled date for the second dose. I came with my two sisters to get vaccinated. It would have been better if we were informed about the vaccines being out of stock," said Alimuzzaman, a resident of the district.

"When I came to the hospital, I saw that there was no one in the vaccination room. Later, I found out the vaccine is out of stock from a Red Crescent volunteer," said Asit Das, from Saira village in the district.

"During the second phase of the mass vaccination, we received 36,000 doses of vaccine. Of these, we inoculated 32,000 people at the Sadar hospital and the rest 4,000 doses were sent to the vaccination centres in the district. But sadly, today, the vaccines ran out at the hospital," said Bagerhat Civil Surgeon KM Humayun Kabir.

"A banner in front of the vaccination centre will be hoisted today saying 'vaccine out of stock.' Further information about vaccines will also be posted on social media platforms," he added.

He also requested people not be frustrated as there is no problem with getting inoculated a few days later.

"I have spoken with the higher authorities as the vaccination given by the government is over. We will get some new doses very soon. Hopefully, we can vaccinate everyone else shortly," the civil surgeon added.