DHAKA — The Bangladesh government has declared 30 sites across 20 districts measles hotspots amid a rise in cases and will launch emergency special vaccination drives in the high-risk areas starting Sunday, April 5, officials said.
The campaign aims to be completed before Eid ul-Adha on May 21.
Health Minister Sardar Mohammad Sakhawat Hossain announced the plan Saturday at a news conference at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. He said the initiative had been taken under the direction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to bring all children in the country under protection quickly.
The minister said vaccination would begin first in the 30 high-risk hotspots and would be expanded nationwide in phases. The target is to complete the program by May 21, 2026, before Eid ul-Adha.
The hotspots include Barguna district municipality and sadar, Pabna municipality and sadar, Ishwardi, Atghoria and Bera upazilas; Chandpur municipality, sadar and Haimchar; Maheshkhali and Ramu upazilas of Cox’s Bazar district; Gazipur sadar; Chapainawabganj municipality and sadar, Shibganj and Bholahat upazilas; Atpara in Netrokona district; Mymensingh sadar, Trishal and Tarakanda; Godagari in Rajshahi; Mehendiganj and Bakerganj upazilas in Barishal district; Porsha in Naogaon; Jashore municipality and sadar; Natore municipality and sadar; Munshiganj municipality and sadar, Lohajang and Sreenagar upazilas; Madaripur municipality and sadar; Nawabganj in Dhaka; Nalchity in Jhalokati; and Jajira in Shariatpur.
The Health Ministry advised that children who have fever or are currently ill should not be vaccinated during this period and should be vaccinated after recovery. Children with measles or suspected of having measles will also be given vitamin A capsules to help reduce complications, the ministry said.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report