DHAKA, Feb 10, 2022 (BSS) - A total of 9,98,99,698 people have so far been 
administered the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines while 6,72,50,602 received 
the second dose across the country during the same period.    

   "As of February 9, as many as 9,98,99,698 people received the first dose 
of COVID-19 vaccines while 6,72,50,602 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 23,35,227 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.