Bangla Press Desk: A special nationwide measles vaccination programme will begin on May 3 amid the ongoing outbreak in Bangladesh, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said on Sunday.
He also announced that an initial drive will be launched in two high-risk city corporations and two districts from April 12, reports bdnews24.com.
Speaking at the inauguration of a measles vaccination programme at Nawabganj Upazila Health Complex in Dhaka, the minister said, "From May 3, we will, God willing, continue this vaccination programme simultaneously in all remaining districts and upazilas of the country."
"Initially, activities have started in 30 upazilas across 18 districts where measles cases have been reported and identified as highly vulnerable, based on assessments by the World Bank, World Health Organization and UNICEF.
"From April 12, coverage will be expanded to Dhaka North and South city corporations, as well as Mymensingh and Barishal districts," he added.
A media statement from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare later said measles vaccinations will begin in four city corporations from April 12 and expand nationwide from May 3.
Urging local leaders to remain vigilant, the minister said, "If any child is infected with measles, you must immediately encourage parents to take them to the nearest hospital. We must ensure that not a single child dies and no mother loses her child."
He also claimed the outbreak stemmed from "mismanagement" by previous governments.
Explaining the decision to vaccinate children up to five years of age, he said: "According to WHO data, 82 per cent of those currently infected are under five. Therefore, children aged six to 59 months are being prioritised. Others will be vaccinated in phases later."
The inauguration ceremony was attended by UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh Rana Flowers, WHO Representative to Bangladesh Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, and Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Pravath Chandra Biswas.
Meanwhile, two more children died after contracting measles, while 974 suspected new cases were reported in the 24 hours ending at 8:00am on Sunday, according to a press release from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). It said 10 suspected deaths were recorded, while 54 cases were confirmed through laboratory testing during the period, reports BSS.
