United News of Bangladesh

The government will launch an emergency measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign in 30 high-risk upazilas across the country from Sunday (April 5) to control the outbreak of measles, announced Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain.  “The campaign will be inaugurated simultaneously at various areas across the country at 9 am tomorrow. Ministers concerned will participate in the inauguration events in different districts,” he said at a press briefing at the ministry. There is an increased outbreak of measles in some areas of Bangladesh which is affecting young children the most and the government is addressing the situation with utmost priority, said the minister. The minister said the National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) in consultation with national and international experts recommended the urgent vaccination campaign to control transmission quickly and protect children at risk. “All children under five years of age will be included in this campaign, regardless of whether they have received the vaccine before. We want to ensure that no child remains unprotected,” he said. The vaccination program will be implemented in phases. It will begin in the 30 high-risk upazilas and later expand nationwide and the target is to complete the campaign by May 21, before the holy Eid-ul-Azha, said the Health Minister. The minister urged the parents to bring all children under five to the designated vaccination centers. “Children with fever or illness should receive the vaccine after recovery.” He added that children affected or suspected to be affected by measles will also receive vitamin ‘A’ capsules to reduce complications from the disease. “The preparations, including vaccine procurement, storage, cold chain management, and health worker training, have already been completed,” the minister said. The vaccines being used are safe and effective and there is no need for panic, he said. “If vaccinations are administered on time, we can bring the measles outbreak under control.”