The government aims to bring around 3.4 million more children under measles-rubella vaccination coverage through its special catch-up campaign, including those missed in earlier rounds, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr M A Muhit has said.
He made the remarks on Wednesday (October 7) while visiting a vaccination session of the special measles-rubella catch-up campaign at the Korail T&T playground in the capital.
The state minister said the special catch-up or mop-up campaign was being carried out to identify children who had not yet received the vaccine and bring them under coverage.
Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan and US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Eric Geelan were also present.
Dr Muhit said nearly 20 million children across the country had already received measles-rubella vaccines under the nationwide campaign.
The government is now working to bring around 3.4 million more children under vaccination coverage through the special campaign.
“We will reach every household and every child and work to ensure their safety and protection,” he said.
Dr Muhit said children in remote hill areas, chars and those who had missed earlier phases for various reasons would be brought under the programme.
He said the government was giving priority to preventive healthcare, with the Health Ministry, local government institutions and frontline health workers working together to protect children from preventable diseases.
The state minister thanked the US government, Gavi and UNICEF for supporting the vaccination programme. He also praised the role of Dhaka North City Corporation and frontline workers.
DNCC Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan said the city corporation was giving priority to the vaccination campaign and was working to identify children who had been missed earlier through door-to-door outreach.
He said DNCC was coordinating with the Directorate General of Health Services and other stakeholders to ensure vaccination for remaining eligible children during the final phase of the campaign.
He also thanked the US Embassy, Gavi and UNICEF for their cooperation in protecting children’s health.
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