DHAKA, Jan 31, 2022 (BSS) - A total of 9,74,91,842 people have so far been administered the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines while 6,16,01703 received the second dose across the country during the same period.
 
   As of January 30, as many as 9,74,91,842 people received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines while 6,16,01703 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 15,21,406 people have so far received booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
 
   At a press conference held on Sunday, Health Minister Zahid Maleque 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 has fixed the minimum age of 50 years and above on January 17, 2022, he said adding, "From now, we want to expedite the booster dose campaign through lowering minimum age to 40 years and above."
 
   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 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.