Govt working to vaccinate every child in the country
The government is working with utmost priority to ensure that every child in the country is vaccinated and that not a single child is left out, said State Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Professor Dr. M.A. Muhith.
He made these remarks while answering questions from reporters after inaugurating the measles vaccination program at the Mirzapur Union Parishad office in Gazipur Sadar Upazila on Sunday (April 5) morning.
The State Minister said that many children are suffering from fever and complications due to measles. There is no need to panic if cases can be identified and treated quickly. This special vaccination program has been undertaken to prevent the further spread of measles. Every child between the ages of 6 months and 5 years must be vaccinated.
He also said that those who receive the vaccine on Sunday should inform their neighbors. The more children brought under the vaccination program, the safer society will be. Affected areas are being identified by analyzing the recommendations of the government’s expert committee and daily national surveillance data.
Stating that this program is already underway in 30 upazilas across 18 districts, the State Minister said that UNICEF and the World Health Organization are supporting the initiative. “We are making every decision based on scientific methods.”
The State Minister also said that vaccination will begin very soon in the city corporation areas of Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Barisal.
When asked about a possible shortage of vaccines, he said, “Let on Sunday’s headline be: ‘Vaccination has started.’ The government has an adequate vaccine supply. Even if there is a temporary shortage somewhere, we are addressing it promptly. InshaAllah, there will be no problem.” Later, the State Minister told journalists, “You are not only reporting the news but also performing humanitarian work. If your campaign is effective, more people will understand the importance of vaccination. Your role in engaging the public is most important at this time.”
Present at the event were Gazipur-3 MP Professor Dr. S.M. Rafiqul Islam Bachchu, Gazipur-2 MP M. Manjurul Karim Rony, World Health Organization Deputy Country Representative Dr. Rajesh Narwal, UNICEF Deputy Representative Rejim Manuel, Gazipur Deputy Commissioner Nurul Karim Bhuiyan, District Police Superintendent Sharif Uddin, Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Mamunur Rahman, along with officials and employees of the Health Department and local dignitaries.
