More than 1 lakh Rohingya refugee children and adolescents in Cox's Bazar have received their first jab of COVID-19 vaccines. 

This was a part of the National Vaccination Plan from the government of Bangladesh with support of UNHCR, WHO, UNICEF and other humanitarian partners. 

Johannes Van Der Klaauw, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh said that Bangladesh is one of the first countries to vaccinate refugee children and adolescents. 

This milestone is the result of an exemplary policy from the Bangladesh government to include refugees in the vaccination plans, and the highly commendable efforts of health officials, humanitarian partners and Rohingya volunteers who have made the inoculation possible and timely, he said. 

More than half of the one million Rohingya refugees living in the camps in Bangladesh are children. Including them in the national vaccination drive is a key to keep everyone safe, a UNHCR press release said. 

Overall, almost five lakh Rohingya refugees have now received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, reflecting 90 percent coverage of the eligible target age groups (12-17, and above 18). Immunizations are a key to reduce the incidence of serious cases of COVID infections. 

The second round of vaccinations for children and adolescents aged 12 years and older will take place after the Eid holidays, pending confirmation by the government of Bangladesh.

BDST: 1805 HRS, JUNE 12, 2022
MSK/SMS