Govt launches oral cholera vaccination campaign; 51.75 lakh targeted

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain launched a preventive oral cholera vaccination campaign today.

The campaign was formally launched at a programme and press conference at the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) auditorium.

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Under the campaign, 51.75 lakh people in 14 high-risk upazilas and thanas will receive the vaccine.

The first dose will be administered from August 22 to September 21, while the second dose will be given from September 26 to October 25, health authorities said.

Speaking at the event, the health minister said, “Although cholera is currently under control, we need to remain vigilant because of recent outbreaks.”

He urged all stakeholders to cooperate to make the campaign successful, as with other national immunisation programmes.

DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam attended the launch programme as a special guest.

Abdus Salam said the city corporation was committed to making the campaign successful, particularly in densely populated areas of Old Dhaka.

“We have experience of successfully implementing EPI activities in densely populated areas, including Old Dhaka. We are committed to making this cholera vaccination campaign successful in the 17 wards as well,” he said.

All citizens aged one year and above, except pregnant women, will be eligible for the free vaccine. Vaccination will be available from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Health authorities said people need to receive both doses, administered 14 days apart, for full protection.

A joint study by the DGHS and icddr,b conducted in 2022-2023 identified 144 upazilas and areas under police stations in city corporations as "cholera hotspots", a DGHS official told The Daily Star earlier.

Against this backdrop, the government prepared a five-year plan to vaccinate people in these vulnerable areas, he said.

Under the plan, the vaccination drive will begin in the 14 most vulnerable areas on August 22, the official said, adding that the vaccine is WHO-prequalified.

In DSCC, the campaign will cover 17 wards under four thanas -- Lalbagh, Gandaria, Kadamtali and Kamrangirchar. Around 11.7 lakh people will receive the vaccine through 192 vaccination centres.

The campaign will also be conducted in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Khilkhet and Tejgaon under Dhaka North City Corporation, as well as selected areas of Munshiganj, Kishoreganj, Narayanganj and Brahmanbaria districts.

The oral vaccine is used to prevent cholera caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. According to health authorities, it can provide protection for three to five years and reduce the severity of the disease.

Authorities, however, stressed that vaccination alone is not enough to prevent cholera and urged people to ensure access to safe drinking water and maintain proper hygiene.

Health Services Division Additional Secretary Sheikh Momena Moni, DSCC Chief Executive Officer Khaibar Rahman, UNICEF Deputy Representative Peter George L Myes, WHO representative Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Secretary General Md Habibur Rahman Khan, icddr,b Senior Scientist Dr Firdausi Qadri, and Directorate General of Health Services Additional Director General (Administration) Prof Dr Md Zahid Raihan were also present at the programme.