DHAKA, Feb 8, 2022 (BSS) - A total of 9,93,90,656 people have so far been

administered the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines while 6,57,66,922 received
the second dose across the country during the same period.

  "As of February 7, as many as 9,93,90,656 people received the first dose of
COVID-19 vaccines while 6,57,66,922 received the second dose in the country,"
according to the data of Management Information System of Directorate General
of Health Services (DGHS).

   A total of 21,64,205 people have so far received the booster dose of
COVID-19 vaccine to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

  The health ministry sources said the government has lowered the minimum age
limit for third time after launching the nationwide COVID-19 booster shot
campaign on December 19, 2021 to scale up its efforts for containing the
spread of the lethal virus.

  Initially 60 years and above for elderly people was the minimum age for
receiving booster dose but later the authorities fixed the minimum age of 50
years and above on January 17, 2022, they said adding, from now, the
government has set 40 years as minimum age to expedite the booster dose
campaign.

  As part of intensifying the nationwide inoculation drive, the government
has decided to lower the minimum age by five years as such now people aged 25
years and above are allowed to receive COVID-19 vaccines.

  The authorities fixed 30 years as the minimum age for receiving coronavirus
vaccines on July 19 and later the government has fixed 25 years as minimum
age to receive coronavirus vaccines, the DGHS sources said.

  People aged 55 and above were only eligible for taking vaccines but the
decision has been revised a day after launching of the countrywide COVID-19
vaccination campaign on February 7 last year.