Measles Outbreak: Mass inoculation campaign kicks off

A nationwide measles–rubella vaccination campaign has been launched across Bangladesh in response to a recent rise in measles cases.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has inaugurated an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign in Bogura on Monday.

The premier opened the campaign at Ziaur Rahman Gram Hospital at Bagbari of Gabtoli upazila that afternoon.

Prime Minister’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, Morshed Milton, MP, Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman and BNP Media Cell Convener Professor Dr Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel were present.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister termed the vaccination programme as one of the government’s most successful initiative to protect child health.

He said every child should be brought under the vaccination coverage and field workers should be vigilant to ensure that no child is left out.

The presence of people on the Ziaur Rahman Gram Hospital premises was noticeable from the morning.

Local people, parents, health workers and political leaders and activists were present.

Tarique Rahman, also chairman of ruling party BNP, arrived in Bogura this morning. He later unveiled the plaque of the newly constructed District Bar Association building on the district court premises.

He also inaugurated the ‘e-bail bond’ system for Bogura and six other districts from the court premises.

The Prime Minister formally declared Bogura municipality as the country’s 13th city corporation by unveiling its plaque at the municipal building.

The government aims to immunise approximately 18 million children aged between six and 59 months under the programme.

The campaign was formally inaugurated on Monday morning by Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain at Little Angel Seminary in Zinda Park, Rupganj Upazila, Narayanganj.

Vaccinations will be administered daily from 8:00 am at both permanent and temporary centres nationwide, except on weekly holidays.

Hasanul Mahmud, Assistant Director of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), said the initiative covers all regions of the country, including 30 upazilas across 18 districts and four city corporations. In total, around 18 million children are expected to receive the vaccine.

The first phase of the campaign began on 5 April in selected upazilas across 18 districts, followed by a second phase from 12 April in four major city corporations—Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Barishal and Mymensingh.

The nationwide drive launched on Monday will continue until 12 May in most parts of the country, and until 20 May in city corporation areas.

Health authorities have advised that children who are currently unwell or have a fever should be vaccinated after recovery.

They also recommend that at least four weeks should elapse between the first dose and a subsequent measles vaccination.