Nationwide measles vaccination drive begins 26 Sep: Minister

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain on Saturday said a nationwide vaccination campaign will begin on 26 September to protect children from measles.
“The regular immunisation programme will also continue to protect children from measles,” he said at a free medical camp organised by the BNP’s Rupganj upazila unit and the Rupganj Private Hospital Clinic and Diagnostic Association at Paragaon Eidgah ground in Narayanganj, marking the party’s 48th founding anniversary.
Citing hospital data showing that most children admitted with measles had not been vaccinated, he said, “There is no alternative to vaccination to protect children from measles.” The minister claimed the previous government had left no vaccines in stock.
Highlighting the two crore vaccine doses produced in 21 days and the vaccination of two crore children aged six months to 59 months, he said the government is committed to fulfilling the prime minister’s pledge to ensure good health for all. Regarding the ongoing measles situation, Sakhawat said the disease had occurred in the country in the past, but children are now dying after developing pneumonia due to nutritional deficiencies. “In this situation, vaccination is very important for protecting children,” he said.