Covid vaccination: DU administers 265 doses of Sinopharm jabs on 1st day

The Dhaka University (DU) authorities have kicked off Covid-19 vaccination a day prior to the reopening of the dormitories, after almost 18 months of closure caused by the pandemic.

The university, through its temporary vaccination camp established at the Shaheed Buddhijibi (Martyred Intellectual) Dr Mohahammad Mortuza Medical Centre, administered 265 first doses of the Sinopharm vaccine to DU teachers, students, officers and staffers on Sunday.

The centre's Chief Medical Officer (acting) Dr Sarwar Jahan Muktafi told Dhaka Tribune that they were ready to administer about 600 doses, but the presence was low probably because it was the first day.

DU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Akhtaruzzaman inaugurated the vaccination campaign at around 9:30am, and it continued till 1:30pm. The drive will continue till October 17.

All the dormitories of the university will be reopened from 8am Tuesday for only honours final year and masters students, according to the Syndicate's decision -- in line with the provosts’ committee recommendations approved by the Academic Council.

Students will be allowed to enter the halls by showing proof of being inoculated with at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

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The campaign for the second dose is scheduled to begin on November 1. 

While addressing the program, VC Akhtaruzzaman said the initiative was taken so that the students could get the vaccine quickly and without any hassle.

A DU student receives the Covid-19 vaccine at a temporary camp at the university on October 4, 2021 | Dhaka Tribune"The sooner we can vaccinate all the students, the sooner we will be able to resume normal activities,"  he added. 

Addressing the inauguration event, Dhaka Civil Surgeon Md Mainul Ahsan said: “We usually do not allow setting up vaccination centres anywhere except in hospitals or government facilities. But permission has been given to DU as the institution is of the highest priority.”

Students who have already registered to get the jab at vaccination centres under Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), such as Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital, and Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, may take the vaccine at DU instead if they are yet to be vaccinated with any of the doses.

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People who have registered with any other vaccine centre must take the vaccine at that centre, and not at DU, said officials.

Also, students who have already received the first dose of a vaccine at a vaccination centre under DSCC will be able to receive the second dose of the same vaccine from the temporary camp at DU following confirmation through SMS.

Students had been advised to register for vaccines online, as on-the-spot registration might take time due to the rush of vaccine seekers.