Special measles vaccination campaign to begin 25 Sept: Health minister
The minister said most of the children who are newly contracting measles in the country have not yet received the measles vaccine.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said today (10 September) that a nationwide special measles vaccination campaign will begin on 25 September.
"From 25 September, a large-scale measles vaccination campaign will be launched again across the country," he said while speaking at a seminar at the University Women's Federation College in the capital to mark World Suicide Prevention Day 2026.
The seminar was organised by the Association for Disabled People (ADP) and the Rotary Club of Ahsan Manzil Dhaka, with ADP Chairman Rowshan Ara Zaman Ruby chairing the event.
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The minister said most children who are newly contracting measles in the country have not yet received the vaccine.
"The country initially faced some difficulties in containing the measles outbreak as the previous government had left no vaccine stock," he said.
However, the health ministry has already procured more than 10 million doses and conducted a vaccination campaign, he added.
"New vaccines have arrived from Unicef for children who are still outside the vaccination coverage. Using these vaccines, the large-scale campaign will resume from 25 September," the minister said.
DGHS data show that 1,97,55,312 doses had been administered under the 2026 measles-rubella vaccination campaign against a target of 1,80,15,064, with reported coverage reaching 109.7%.
Speaking about the dengue situation, the minister said stagnant water in flowerpots at homes often creates mosquito breeding grounds and increases the risk of dengue transmission.
"The health ministry has already launched extensive measures to combat dengue," he said.
Awareness activities are being conducted not only in Dhaka but also across the country, including rural and peripheral areas, he added.
The minister also said the government is working to bring the country's suicide rate down to zero.
Earlier yesterday morning, the health minister took part in a rally organised to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.
