30 measles hotspots to get vaccines in first phase of immunisation drive
4 more suspected measles deaths, 787 hospitalised in 24 hrs.
The government will vaccinate all children aged between six and 59 months against measles, regardless of prior immunisation. As the vaccination drive will be implemented in phases, 30 high-risk areas will get the vaccines first.
Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain shared this while speaking at a press briefing at the Secretariat yesterday (4 April). The minister said the initiative aims to ensure that no child remains outside protection.
The programme will be gradually expanded across the country based on the disease situation and field-level preparedness, he said.
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The government aims to complete the nationwide campaign by 21 May, ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, said Sakhawat.
The minister also announced that the emergency vaccination programme will be formally launched at 9am today, simultaneously across different parts of the country.
Parents have been urged to bring all children under five to designated vaccination centres. However, children who have a fever or are currently unwell will not be vaccinated at this time and should receive the dose after recovery, the health minister said.
The minister said the initiative is being launched under the direct guidance of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to combat the rising outbreaks affecting young children across the country.
He added that the decision has been taken based on recommendations from the National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (Nitag), following consultations with national and international public health experts.
All children infected with or suspected of having measles will be provided with Vitamin A capsules to reduce complications and aid recovery, Sakhawat said.
The minister assured the public that the vaccines are safe and effective, urging parents, local leaders and the media to support the campaign and help prevent the spread of rumours.
All logistical preparations, including vaccine supply, cold chain management and staff training, have already been finalised to ensure the programme's success, he added.
Dr Ziauddin Hyder, a member of the BNP chairperson's advisory council on health, nutrition and development, told The Business Standard that 2.19 crore doses of measles vaccine are currently in stock with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. He said the vaccines are already in the country and were under Gavi's supervision. These doses will now be used in the emergency campaign, he added.
The government has allocated Tk601 crore to procure vaccines, he said, adding that once new vaccines are purchased, the doses taken from Gavi will be replaced.
He stated that the ongoing campaign will use syringes already available under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI).
4 more suspected measles deaths, 787 hospitalised in 24 hrs
Two more confirmed measles-related deaths were recorded from 8am Friday to 8am Saturday, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
This raises the total number of deaths from confirmed measles infections to 16 so far this year, while 98 children have died with suspected measles symptoms. During the same period, four suspected measles-related deaths were recorded.
During the time, 787 patients with measles-like symptoms were admitted to hospitals, while 60 cases were confirmed as measles.
According to the latest health bulletin issued yesterday, a total of 6,476 suspected measles cases have been identified nationwide since 15 March this year, while 2,654 patients have already been discharged after receiving treatment.
