A special program has started from today to give the fourth dose of Corona vaccine. Director General of the Department of Health Ahmedul Kabir inaugurated the program at Kurmitola General Hospital in Dhaka at 9 am. According to the Department of Health, people above the age of 60 who have already received the third dose will be vaccinated under the programme. In the circular signed by the member secretary of the Covid-19 Vaccine Management Task Force Committee, Shamsul Haque, it is said in the circular that, besides, frontliners, pregnant women, people aged 18 years and above with low immunity and chronic diseases will be vaccinated during this campaign. Among the frontliners are - freedom fighters, workers of the Ministry of Health and its affiliates and affiliated private healthcare organizations, all employees of public-private and autonomous organizations, law enforcement and military personnel, journalists, bank employees, national team players and others working on the frontline. The fourth dose campaign will be administered only by Pfizer and will be administered at permanent vaccination centers across the country. According to the Department of Health, there are about 1,000 such centres. As of December 14, about 14.9 crore people have been received the first dose, over 12.65 crore people have been received the second dose and about 6.46 crore people have been received the booster dose. The government started the mass vaccination program from February 8 last year with the Oxford, AstraZeneca vaccine prepared by the Serum Institute of India. Later 6 more vaccines from different companies were added to this list. These are - Pfizer, Sinopharm, Moderna, Sinovac, Johnson & Johnson.

The Department of Health said that the fourth dose of the coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine will start in the country from December 20. This vaccination will be given to people over 60, frontline fighters, pregnant women and lactating mothers to prevent the spread of coronavirus. According to the notification of the Department of Health, the Pfizer vaccine will be given as the fourth dose. This information was informed in a circular signed by Director and Line Director of Health Department, Member Secretary of the Covid-19 Vaccine Management Committee Shamsul Haque. According to the notification, the second or fourth dose can be administered to those who have passed 4 months after receiving the third dose. The notification also informed that all permanent Covid-19 vaccination centers located at city corporation, district, upazila and municipal area nationwide (Specialized Hospitals, Government Medical College Hospitals, 500, 250 and 100 bed hospitals, District Headquarters Hospitals, Upazila Government Health Complex etc. The fourth dose of vaccine should be given in these running booth Apart from this, these vaccination centers include Secretariat, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Kurmitola General Hospital, Mugda Medical General Hospital, Sheikh Russell Gastroliver Hospital and Government Employees Hospital.

Ceravac, an indigenously developed vaccine for cervical cancer caused by the human-papillomavirus (HPV), will be priced between Rs 200-400 per dose and available in a few months, said manufacturer Serum Institute of India on Thursday.   “Initially, the vaccine will be supplied to the government programme and then from next year onwards, some private partners may also be involved,” said Serum India CEO Adar Poonawalla. The vaccine is given as a two-dose or three-dose regimen depending on age.   Two HPV vaccines are available in the private market presently, both made by foreign companies: Gardasil by Merck and Cervarix by Glaxo Smithkline. HPV vaccines sell for Rs 2,000-3,500 per dose now, and Serum India’s entry is expected to bring down prices.   Announcing the scientific completion of the vaccine that took more than a decade to develop, the central government said that around 2,000 volunteers had participated in the country for clinical trials. Pune-based Serum India developed Ceravac in collaboration with the government’s biotechnology department.   Work started in September 2011 and the vaccine was approved by India’s drug regulator in July this year. “Partnerships between private-public are becoming very important in such research, this co-creation is what is going to make all the difference in the world,” said Rajesh Gokhale, secretary in the Department of Biotechnology.   Covid-19 had raised awareness about preventive healthcare and Ceravac will help such efforts, said Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Science and Technology.   Ceravac, which is based on virus-like-particle (VLP) platform technology, has demonstrated a robust antibody response nearly 1000 times higher than the baseline against all targeted HPV types and in all dose and age groups.   HPV types--16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58--are considered as high risk for cancer. Type 6 and 11 are considered low-risk types. SII’s quadrivalent HPV vaccine works against type 6,11,16,18.   It means the vaccine protects against four different strains of the HPV, and approximately give coverage against 90 percent of HPV prevalent in the developing world.   Cervical is the second most frequent cancer among women in India. About 5 percent of women in the general population are estimated to have cervical HPV‐16/18 infection, and 83.2 percent of invasive cervical cancers are attributed to HPVs 16 or 18.   India has 483.5 million women aged 15 and older who are at risk of cervical cancer. Current estimates say that every year 123,907 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 77,348 die from the disease. Cervical is the second-most frequent cancer among women in India.   The standing technical sub-committee of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) has recommended including cervical cancer in the National Immunisation Mission (NIM).   According to the 2011 Census, around 114.8 million girls were between the age of 10-14 years. The numbers would be slightly different now, however, one can estimate around 100-120 million female children to be in the target age group for HPV vaccination under the NIM.   Umesh Shaligram, executive director of Serum India and who was involved in developing Ceravac, said the vaccine could also be given to males once there are enough doses. The vaccine can be used to cover other HPV-caused diseases and not just cervical cancer, he said.   Source: Business Standard  

In view of the evolving scientific evidence and global practices, the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday revised the duration between the second COVID vaccine dose and precautionary dose from the existing 9 months to 6 months. The Standing Technical Sub-Committee (STSC) of the NTAGI in June recommended reducing the gap between the second and precaution doses of COVID-19 vaccine. In a letter to States and Union Territories, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, "In view of the evolving scientific evidence and global practices, "Standing Technical Sub Committee" (STSC) of "National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization" (NTAGI) has recommended to revise the duration between 2nd dose and precaution dose from existing 9 months or 39 weeks to 6 months or 26 weeks. This has also been endorsed by NTAGI." "It has now been decided that the precaution dose for all beneficiaries from 18-59 years will be administered after completion of 6 months or 26 weeks from the date of administration of 2nd dose at Private Covid Vaccination Centers (CVs)," it added. The Health Secretary said that for beneficiaries aged above 60 years and above as well as the Health Care Workers (HCWs) & Front Line Workers (FLWs), a precaution dose would be administered after completion of 6 months or 26 weeks from the date of administration of 2nd dose at Government CVCs, free of charge. "Corresponding changes have been made in the CoWIN system to facilitate the new dispensation. Instructions in this regard may be issued to all the concerned officials and it may also be publicized widely. I look forward to your support and leadership for extending the benefits of precaution dose to all due beneficiaries at Covid Vaccination Centers (CVCs) as well as at household level during the ongoing Har Ghar Dastak 2.0 Campaign," Bhushan wrote in the letter.   Source: ANI

Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam today (Thursday) said the students aged above 12 must get at least the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, otherwise they would not be allowed to attend schools and colleges. “The Education Ministry has already given instruction that none can come to schools without getting vaccinated. The issue was discussed at an inter-ministerial meeting on January 3 and it was confirmed today,” he said while briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the virtual cabinet meeting from her official residence Ganabhaban, while her cabinet colleagues and others concerned were present at Bangladesh Secretariat. Answering to a question, the cabinet secretary said the students aged above 12 will have to receive at least one jab of the Covid-19 inoculation to attend schools and colleges. He said all concerned were asked to carry out motivational campaign so that students receive vaccines and added the vaccines are available in the rural areas as well. Anwarul Islam said the cabinet meeting discussed how to fight Omicron, the new Covid variant, alongside the scheduled agenda. He said the people will have to show Covid-19 vaccination certificate to eat meals in restaurants, travel in train and airplane, and visit shopping malls and international trade fair as well as other public places. The decision would be implemented after a certain period based on getting opinion of the national technical committee, he said. Talking about other decisions to fight Omicron, the cabinet secretary said wearing face-mask outside the houses is a must. Source: BSS AH

Approximately 90 per cent of the adult population in India has been vaccinated against COVID-19 with the first dose, said The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday. Addressing media personnel, Luv Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry said, "Approximately 90 per cent of the adult population in India has been vaccinated against COVID-19 with the first dose. On average, India reported more than 8,000 cases per day last week. Overall case positivity rate stands at 0.92 per cent. From December 26 onwards, the country has been reporting 10,000 daily cases."   "The weekly positivity rate of more than 10 per cent is being noted in eight districts including six districts of Mizoram, one from Arunachal Pradesh and Kolkata in West Bengal. The weekly case positivity rate is between 5-10 per cent in 14 districts of the country. There are 961 cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus in India, out of which 320 patients have recovered," he added.   India has reported 13,154 new COVID-19 cases and 268 deaths in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday. The tally of Omicron COVID-19 variant cases in the country has gone up to 961 with maximum cases were reported from Delhi (263) and Maharashtra (252). With this, the country's COVID-19 tally has risen to 34,822,040 while the death toll has mounted to 4,80,860.   The ministry informed that the active caseload in the country stands at 82,402 constituting 0.24 per cent of the total cases. As many as 7,486 patients recovered in the last 24 hours taking the total number of recoveries to 3,42,58,778. The recovery rate in the country currently stands at 98.38 per cent. The weekly positivity rate in the country is 0.76 per cent which remains lesser than 1 per cent for the last 46 days. The daily positivity rate is 1.10 per cent which remains lesser than 2 per cent for the last 87 days.   The country has conducted as many as 67.64 crore COVID-19 tests so far.   Source: ANI

The requirement, timing and nature of COVID vaccine booster doses will be based on scientific decisions according to Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog, today. Dr Paul said, "The Union Health Minister has said in the parliament that the need, timing and nature of boosting will be based on scientific decisions and thinking that is what the government is engaged with." Asked about the severity of the emerging COVID variant, he said, "COVID always comes with mild symptoms in the initial stages. We are watching any change in the pattern of the presentation of the emerging cases very carefully." Dr Paul said that coordinated efforts are being made to ensure the availability and optimization of medical oxygen usage. "The country has ramped up oxygen production and availability. A lot of efforts have been made across the country including provisioning more than 1,500 PSA plants. Most of them are now functional. In order to improve coordination and facilitation, a comprehensive data system Oxycare has been launched. Things are being monitored regularly. We are prepared for any eventuality," he added. Meanwhile, India reported 6,317 fresh COVID-19 cases and 318 deaths in the last 24 hours, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday. The country's active caseload currently stands at 78,190, the lowest in 575 days. With 6,906 new recoveries reported across the country in the last 24 hours, the total recoveries mounted to 3,42,01,966. The new fatalities pushed the COVID death count to 4,78,325. According to the Ministry, 213 cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus have been reported in the country so far. Out of this, Delhi topped the list with 57 confirmed cases followed by Maharashtra (54 cases) and Telangana (24 cases). The country's active caseload currently stands at 78,190, the lowest in 575 days. With 6,906 new recoveries reported across the country in the last 24 hours, the total recoveries mounted to 3,42,01,966. The new fatalities pushed the COVID death count to 4,78,325. According to the Ministry, 213 cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus have been reported in the country so far. Out of this, Delhi topped the list with 57 confirmed cases followed by Maharashtra (54 cases) and Telangana (24 cases). Source: NDTV

Bangladesh today (Sunday) launched the COVID-19 booster shot campaign with Pfizer vaccine to scale up its efforts for containing the spread of the lethal virus.    Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque formally inaugurated the campaign at a function at Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons  (BCPS) in the capital, an official release said.     Health Minister Zahid Maleque, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Law Minister Anisul Huq, Fisheries Minister SM Rezaul Karim, Director General of  Directorate General Health Service Prof ABM Khurshid Alam, National Professor Shaila Khatun, a journalist, a police personnel, and chief of Anjuman Mofidul  Islam received booster jabs today.    The campaign for Covid-19 booster doses started with vaccinating Runu Veronica Costa, a senior nurse of Kurmitola General Hospital, who received  the first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine in late January this year.     At the function, the health minister said, "Pfizer vaccine will be given as a booster dose....the people, who received any jabs earlier, can get Pfizer vaccine as a booster shot."    Elderly people aged 60 and above, people with comorbidity as well as frontliners will be given the booster dose on priority basis, he added.     Bangladesh has been lauded globally for successful continuation of the coronavirus vaccine drive, Maleque said adding.    Like the nationwide COVID-19 mass vaccination campaign, Bangladesh started booster dose drive compared to the many countries of the world, he added.     The health minister said Bangladesh yesterday recorded less than one percent positivity rate, which was described as a success for the country.    Updating process in the 'Surokkha app' for booster dose is underway, he said adding, "Right now fully vaccinated people will receive booster dose  showing their vaccination cards."    "The country has 4.63 crore vaccines and nine crore vaccines will arrive at the beginning of the next year meaning we will not face any scarcity of vaccines. Bangladesh set a target to vaccinate 70 percent people by April next year," the health minister said.     With first and second dose of coronavirus vaccines, nearly 11 crore people of Bangladesh have so far been inoculated, he added. Source: BSS AH

Health Minister Zahid Maleque has informed that booster doses of corona vaccine will be given from Sunday (Dec 19) under trial basis. He delivered the information while answering questions of the newsmen at a program organized on the occasion of birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Victory Day and golden jubilee of independence at Manikganj sadar upazila on Friday. The health minister said, frontline activists like physicians, nurses, government officers and employees, mass media activists and senior citizens of the country will be given the booster doses as preferential basis. He said, booster doses will be given to people aged over 60 years and severe sick patients. The campaign will begin from Sunday. Mentionable, usually two doses of coronavirus vaccine are given to prevent the infection but in some countries of the world a third dose has been given. It is called the booster dose. In Bangladesh nearly seven crore people were given the first dose of corona vaccine while nearly four and half crore people were given the second dose. Mohammad Shahidullah, chairman of National Technical Advisory Committee dealing the coronavirus recommended for giving the booster dose in the country to the people aged over 60 years. Later the Prime Minister directed to give the booster dose. The health minister said, the second wave of coronavirus transmission has come under control. We have to be alert so that no wave of coronavirus would affect the country in this winter. AH   

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today directed the authorities concerned to roll out the second dose of Covid-19 vaccine from next Thursday (April 8) as per preschedule. She made the confirmation while chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting, held at the Bangladesh Secretariat, joining virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban. “The Prime Minister has made it clear to follow the prefixed roll-out plan for the second dose of Covid-19 inoculation scheduled to start from April 8,” said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam while briefing reporters after the meeting. Besides, the roll-out of the first jab of the covid-19 vaccine will conclude tomorrow (Tuesday), he said. Replying to a query, the Cabinet Secretary said there will be no problem with the stock of the second dose of the vaccines as Bangladesh will get the supply of the Jabs from India within the scheduled time. Answering to another question regarding extension or end of the ongoing countrywide restrictions to stop the spread of fresh surge of Coronavirus pandemic, he said the government will review it on Thursday next and would take next course of action considering the situation. Khandker Anwarul Islam said the Cabinet today cleared a proposal to provide two festival allowances (each Taka 10,000) to the gallantry award holding freedom fighters, while Taka 2,000 as the Bengali New year allowance to gallantry award holding freedom fighters, war-injured freedom fighters and martyred freedom fighter’s families and Taka 5,000 as the Victory Day allowance to the alive freedom fighters. Now the gallantry award holding freedom fighters are not getting the two festival allowances, the Bengali New Year allowance and the Victory Day allowance, while war-wounded freedom fighters are not getting the Bengali New Year allowance and the Victory Day allowance and the martyred freedom fighter’s families are not receiving the Bengali New Year allowance, he said. In addition, the Cabinet gave the final approval to the draft of Chattogram Port Authority Bill- 2021 keeping the provision of one-year jail or Taka five lakh fine as the capital punishment predominantly on charges of environment pollution. “If anyone flouts the law, the person would be awarded with maximum one month to one year jail or Taka one lakh to Taka five lakh fine or both but depending on severity of his offences,” said Anwarul Islam. The Cabinet also approved in principle the draft of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) Bill, 2021 keeping a provision of one-stop service to ensure quick necessary infrastructural services in BSCIC Industrial Estates and to attract local and foreign investments there. The amount of authorized capital has been increased to Taka 3,000 crore from Taka one crore in the draft law, said the Cabinet Secretary. The punishment for different offences, which are related to the maintenance of 79 industrial estates, would be six months to two year imprisonment or Taka 10,000 to Taka 100,000 as penalty or both, he said. If anyone provides false information, grabs boundary walls, land or hands over plots illegally, the person will face punishment, he added. Source: BSS AH