2 crore vaccinated, 35 lakh more targeted

Two crore children across the country have already been vaccinated under the ongoing measles-rubella vaccination campaign, while the government is targeting another 35 lakh children over the next month, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit said on Wednesday.

Despite the vaccination drive, six more people died of measles and measles-like symptoms in the past 24 hours, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Of the six deaths reported between 8am Tuesday and 8am Wednesday, two were from confirmed measles. The combined death toll from confirmed measles and measles-like symptoms has now reached 1,140, including 104 confirmed measles deaths and 1,036 deaths among patients with measles-like symptoms.

Speaking at an event marking the measles-rubella vaccination campaign, Dr Muhit said the government was continuing the drive as a “mop-up campaign” to ensure that no child was left behind.

Children living in remote and hilly areas and river islands, as well as children with disabilities and those who missed previous vaccination drives, are being identified and vaccinated, he said.

“We have not stopped after vaccinating 2 crore children because every child’s life is valuable,” Dr Muhit said, expressing hope that another 35 lakh children would be vaccinated within the next month.

The Health Ministry, local government bodies, city corporations and field-level health workers are working together to prevent the spread of measles, he said.

The United States, through UNICEF, is supporting Bangladesh’s measles-rubella catch-up vaccination campaign under the “America First Global Health Strategy” to protect children at risk during the ongoing outbreak.

Meanwhile, four of the six deaths reported in the latest 24-hour period occurred in Dhaka Division, the DGHS said.
During the period, 1,390 new patients with measles and measles-like symptoms were admitted to hospitals across the country.