Over one million Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh are going to get vaccinated in August. “We can start vaccinating any day in August, depending on the availability of adequate doses,” the commissioner for refugee relief and repatriation told AFP on Saturday (July 17th).
At present, more than one million Rohingyas live in the camps in Cox’s Bazar. The first corona infection occurred there in May last year. A total of 2,161 Rohingyas have been infected so far and 24 have died.
Initially, it is planned to vaccinate 50,000 Rohingyas. The commissioner for refugee relief and repatriation said the coverage would be increased if more vaccines were available later.
Regarding the vaccination plan, the commissioner told AFP that due to the shortage, only people over the age of 55 would be vaccinated in the first phase. If adequate vaccination is available, all Rohingyas will be covered step by step.
The Rohingyas welcomed the initiative. They also demanded to increase the scope of activities. Mohammed Rafiq of Lambasia Camp said, ‘Many people live together in the camps. So, everyone is at risk of getting infected. ‘
Last February, Bangladesh started vaccination activities for its citizens Occasionally. But due to the suspension of exports to India, the tide has turned. However, with the advent of vaccines from Covex facility and shipments from China, it is gaining momentum again.
