In a significant milestone in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Bangladesh today began the second biggest vaccination drive in the South Asia region. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the drive virtually from Dhaka’s Kurmitola General Hospital this afternoon.

According to a report in The Daily Star, the country targets inoculating 6 million people this month, and 5 million in the following month. The government is expected to launch a pilot program where if will vaccinate front people from different fields like health care, media professional. Some of the freedom fighters will also be included in this phase.

The mass inoculation drive will begin on 7 February and the government has developed an app Surokkha to streamline the drive. After India, Bangladesh has the largest stockpile of COVID-19 vaccines, around 7 million doses, in the South Asia Region. Bangladesh on Monday received the first consignment of the 5 million doses of Covishield vaccines from India under a procurement agreement.

"From tomorrow (today) vaccination (pilot) will start in Dhaka and then it will be expanded across the country. By that time, all preparations for smooth vaccination will be completed," Prof Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, director-general of the Directorate General of Health Services, was quoted as saying by The Daily Star yesterday.  

However, today, only 20-30 people are likely to be vaccinated today.