All children aged 6-59 months to receive measles vaccine regardless of prior doses: Health minister
The vaccination drive will be implemented in phases. In the first stage, it will begin in 30 high-risk hotspot areas.
The government will vaccinate all children aged between six and 59 months against measles, regardless of whether they have previously received the vaccine, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said today (4 April).
Speaking at a press briefing at the Secretariat, the minister said the initiative aims to ensure that no child remains outside protection.
The vaccination drive will be implemented in phases, he said, adding that in the first stage, it will begin in 30 high-risk hotspot areas.
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The programme will then be gradually expanded across the country based on the disease situation and field-level preparedness, he said.
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 tomorrow, 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 Immunization 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 Immunization (EPI).
