Maleque calls for receiving COVID-19 vaccines

Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque has urged all people to receive COVID-19 vaccines to protect themselves from the deadly virus.

“I am urging all levels of people to take vaccines, as vaccine is the only remedy to eradicate COVID-19 pandemic from the country,” he made the call after visiting 300-capacity COVID-19 dedicated hospital at Khanpur in Narayanganj city, reports BSS.

Selim Osman, MP, Shamim Osman, MP, Secretary of Health Service Division Abdul Mannan and Director General of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Dr Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, among others, were present on the occasion.

“A section of people are spreading rumour over COVID-19 vaccine… but people received COVID-19 vaccines spontaneously ignoring their rumours,” the health minister said, adding all sorts of rumours have been proved false as people are thronging the designated hospitals to take vaccines.

He said people should receive COVID-19 vaccines without any fear and confusion as no significant side effects of vaccines are reported since the campaign was launched on January 27.

The health ministry sources said people with controlled chronic diseases, homeopathic and traditional medicine receivers can take COVID-19 vaccines.

Apart from controlled chronic diseases, people with controlled respiratory disease also would be eligible for receiving coronavirus inoculations, they said, adding along with priority group of people, different professionals including teachers at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, cleaners and transport workers can receive vaccines, it added.

People with uncontrolled diabetes, children aged below 18, cancer patients, who are taking injections, lactating mother, pregnant women, COVID-19 positive patients (who have passed less than one month) are not allowed to receive vaccines.

The health authorities said mild side effects including light fever, headache, body pain and vomiting might be felt after taking COVID-19 vaccines.