Bangladesh begins Covid-19 vaccinations for Rohingya refugees

File photo for representation

Bangladesh on Tuesday began vaccinating Rohingya refugees living in congested camps as the impoverished South Asian nation battles a record surge in coronavirus cases, officials said. Health officials say 2,600 Covid-19 cases and 29 deaths have been recorded in the camps housing some 850,000 Rohingya but many experts say this is likely a gross underestimate. The initial inoculation phase will see around 48,000 refugees aged over 55 get Chinese-made Sinopharm shots in the coming three days, local health chief Mahbubur Rahman told AFP. Officials said they have carried a "massive vaccination awareness campaign" in the camps with volunteers going door to door to inform the refugees about the importance of getting jabbed.