Mass inoculation must to stem omicron tide

Mass inoculation should remain a priority apart from maintaining health guidelines to contain the spread of the fast-transmissible new coronavirus variant, omicron, said a public health expert on Thursday evening.

"Though there hasn't been that much hospitalisation due to the Covid-19 infection yet, the authorities concerned should concentrate more on micro-management of the vaccination drive across the country to ensure herd immunity as early as possible," he said.

The suggestions were given by Professor Dr Shah Monir Hossain, a former Director-General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), at the Episode 7 of The Financial Express Dialogue on 'Anticipated New Wave of Coronavirus: Is Bangladesh Prepared Enough?'

Alongside Mr Monir, University Grants Commission (UGC) Member Professor Dr Md Sazzad Hossain and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Chairman Asif Ibrahim also spoke as panellists at the virtual event chaired by Professor of the Department of Economics at the University of Dhaka Dr Rumana Huque while Executive Editor of the Financial Express Shamsul Huq Zahid gave welcome speech at the programme.

Referring that no vaccine guarantees 100 per cent protection against a disease, the former DGHS DG said, "The vaccine to fight Covid-19 was developed in a brief period of time while there have been studies that indicate efficacy of vaccines of different brands up to 70 to 90 per cent."

He hoped that the government, considering availability of vaccines, would be able to inoculate at least 70 per cent of the population by next December to reach herd immunity.

It has been a challenge even in the developed countries to reach majority of the people with vaccines as many are reluctant to take the antidote, he said, adding: special campaign can be taken in the country to encourage people to get vaccinated.

However, he noted that there is a shortage of skilled human resources in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as around 50 per cent of the positions are yet to be filled.

Mr Monir suggested that the government should take micro-planning to initiate ward-based vaccination drive across the country.

Besides, he opined for avoiding public gathering, halting social programmes and tourism for certain period of time to contain the spread of the virus.

ahb_mcj2009@yahoo.com