‘Vaccination for every child’

A nationwide emergency measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign was launched yesterday amid efforts to curb a sharp rise in measles cases and deaths.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the emergency MR vaccination campaign at Ziaur Rahman Gram Hospital in Bagbari under Gabtoli upazila of Bogura.

Speaking on the occasion, the PM said every child should be brought under the vaccination coverage, and field workers should be vigilant to ensure that no child is left out.

PM’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, State Minister for Health MA Muhit, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam were present, among others.

Meanwhile, inaugurating the drive in Narayanganj’s Rupganj upazila, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said the government is planning to collect vaccines and other logistics, considering the demands of 15 months.

A total of 21.8 lakh children from 30 high-burden upazilas and four city corporations and 1.58 lakh more children from the rest of the country are expected to be vaccinated.

A stock of six months will be ensured so that no shortage is reported, he added.

Amid the surge in measles cases and deaths, the government earlier began an emergency MR vaccination campaign in 30 high-burden upazilas across 18 districts on April 5.

The drive was later expanded to Dhaka South, Dhaka North, Mymensingh and Barishal city corporations from April 12.

A total of 21.8 lakh children from these 30 upazilas and the four city corporations and 1.58 lakh more children from the rest of the country are expected to be vaccinated, according to the health ministry.

The campaign launched on April 5 will continue till April 25, while the one that began on April 12 will end on May 12, said Hasanul Mahmud, assistant director of the Expanded Programme on Immunization.

The nationwide campaign will run till May 20 in city corporation areas and till May 12 in the rest of the country, Mahmud added.

Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) recorded one more confirmed measles death in the last 24 hours till 8:00am yesterday, taking the confirmed measles death toll to 37.

The deaths were reported from the Dhaka division.

Besides, the directorate recorded two more suspected deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of suspected deaths to 183. The two deaths were reported in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions.

Also, a total 174 confirmed measles cases were recorded during this time, taking the total confirmed cases to 3,617. Some 1,170 suspected cases were also recorded during the same time, taking the total suspected cases to 24,776.

In a statement, Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh, said the nationwide measles-rubella campaign comes at a critical moment for Bangladesh.

“Since the emergency campaign began on April 5, we have seen strong momentum. As of April 19, close to 1.6 million children, 73 percent of the target group, have already been vaccinated. This is a remarkable effort, and UNICEF applauds the health workers and communities working around the clock,” she said.

Stressing that the situation still remains concerning, she said, “With every preventative vaccine delivered, the country inches closer to stabilising the current outbreak. The goal is clear: reach more than 17.8 million children, achieve at least 95 percent coverage, and ensure no child is left behind.”