Emergency measles vaccination begins in 30 upazilas

An emergency measles vaccination campaign began this morning in 30 upazilas across 18 districts, where the infection rate is relatively high.

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain inaugurated the campaign at Nawabganj Upazila Health Complex around 11:00am.

“Vaccination started in the morning, and so far everything is going well,” said Shahriar Sajjad, deputy director of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI).

The campaign aims to vaccinate 13.23 lakh children across the selected 30 upazilas.

The upazilas include Barguna Sadar; Ishwardi, Atgharia, Bera and Sadar in Pabna; Mehendiganj and Bakerganj in Barishal; Haimchar and Sadar in Chandpur; Maheshkhali and Ramu in Cox’s Bazar; Nawabganj in Dhaka; Gazipur Sadar; Jashore Sadar; Nalchity in Jhalakathi; Madaripur Sadar; Louhajang, Sreenagar and Sadar in Munshiganj; Trishal, Phulpur and Sadar in Mymensingh; Natore Sadar; Atpara in Netrakona; Porsha in Naogaon; Shibganj, Bholahat and Sadar in Chapainawabganj; Godagari in Rajshahi; and Zajira in Shariatpur.

The initiative comes as the country recorded four more deaths from suspected Measles in the 24 hours ending at 8:00am yesterday, raising the death toll to 98, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

While inaugurating the measles-rubella (MR) campaign at Mirzapur Union Parishad in Gazipur Sadar upazila, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare MA Muhit said, “Not a single child will be left out.”

He assured that there would be no shortage of vaccines.

In Rajshahi’s Godagari upazila, the drive began at 9:00am at 27 centres across nine unions, the upazila health complex, and three temporary municipal centres.

Officials said children aged between six months and under five years (59 months) are being vaccinated. Those below six months who are infected are being given vitamin A capsules instead.

Civil Surgeon SI Raziul Islam said infected children would not receive the vaccine but would be provided with vitamin A support, adding that the vaccine is safe and there is no cause for concern.

In Jashore Sadar, the campaign targets around 90,000 children. Health authorities said 100,000 doses are currently in stock.

Vaccination drives have also been launched across Barishal division, with services available daily from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

In Pabna, the campaign began in four vulnerable upazilas—Sadar, Ishwardi, Bera, and Atghoria—targeting 183,666 children through 36 centres.