Nationwide measles-rubella vaccination drive from May 3: Health minister

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain announced today that a nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign will begin on May 3, covering all remaining districts and upazilas across Bangladesh.

The minister made the announcement while inaugurating the emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign at Nawabganj Upazila Health Complex.

“The campaign has already commenced in 30 upazilas across 18 districts identified as vulnerable by the World Health Organization and UNICEF,” he added.

He also said the next phase of the programme will start on April 12 in areas under Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka South City Corporation, as well as in Mymensingh and Barishal.

Credit for the initiative, the minister said, goes to the prudence of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The health minister also urged local party leaders and activists to focus on rural areas, stressing that any child infected with measles must be admitted to hospital immediately.