Dhaka, Apr 12 (UNB) – The month-long Emergency Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign 2026 was launched in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) areas on Sunday, amid growing concerns over the spread of preventable infectious diseases.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain inaugurated the campaign at a function at the Nagar Bhaban auditorium in the morning.

State Minister for Road Transport and Highways Division and Railways Habibur Rashid Habib was present as a special guest at the event with DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam in the chair.

2 more die of measles in 24 hours

Under the campaign, a total of 402,456 children in DSCC areas have been targeted for vaccination. To achieve the target, 540 vaccination centres have been set up across the city, including 90 permanent and 450 temporary ones.

Children aged 6 to 59 months will receive vaccines daily from 9:00am to 4:00pm. The month-long campaign will continue until May 11.

Speaking at the event, the Health Minister underscored the need for coordinated efforts to control measles and other infectious diseases.

He noted that although the programme began earlier in 30 upazilas across 18 districts, it has now simultaneously expanded to four major city corporations – Dhaka South, Dhaka North, Mymensingh and Barishal.

The minister also mentioned the rapid activation of an Intensive Care Unit at the Mohakhali Infectious Disease Hospital in response to the current situation and expressed gratitude to UNICEF and World Health Organization for their support.

He further urged city residents to remain vigilant in dengue prevention.

Habibur Rashid Habib described the rising incidence of measles as alarming and emphasised the government’s highest priority to the campaign. He called on the media to play an active role in raising awareness, especially among working-class parents, about the importance of vaccination.

DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam said past negligence contributed to the current situation, but the authorities are determined to bring every child under vaccination coverage.

He stressed the need to reach communities at the grassroots level and create massive awareness.

Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Dr Pravath Chandra Biswas, along with senior DSCC officials, was also present at the programme.

Following the inauguration, the DSCC Administrator and the State Minister visited the Nagar Maternity Centre in Khilgaon to inspect the vaccination activities and took part in a cleanliness drive.

Residents have been urged to take their children to the nearest vaccination centres to ensure full participation in the campaign.

Among others, UNICEF Deputy Representative Emmanuelle Abrioux and WHO Deputy Representative Dr Rajesh Narwal were present at the ceremony.