A progamme to vaccinate prisoners against Covid-19 began at Chattogram central jail on Thursday.

Around 8,000 inmates of Chattogram central jail will get the jabs under the programme, said divisional health director Dr. Hasan Shahriar Kabir.

Eight hundred prisoners were inoculated with Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine on the opening day, he said.

Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Chief Health Officer Dr Selim Akhtar Chowdhury inaugurated the vaccination campaign.

“There are 7,800 prisoners in Chattogram central jail. We cannot be safe without vaccinating them. So, all prisoners will get vaccinated in phases,” Dr Shahriar Kabir said.

He said all jail inmates who got the first dose today will be given the second dose in time.

Prisoners who will be released on bail after receiving the first dose will be able to receive the second dose subject to showing vaccine card and new prisoners will also be brought under the vaccination programme, he added.