A nationwide effort to curb the spread of measles and rubella among young children will commence on Sunday, 5 April, as the government rolls out a special immunisation campaign across selected high-risk areas. In its initial phase, the programme will cover 30 upazilas in 18 districts, prioritising children aged between six months and 59 months.
Announcing the initiative at a press briefing held at the Secretariat on Saturday afternoon, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain stated that the campaign would begin simultaneously at 9:00 a.m. across all designated locations. Vaccination services will be available daily until 5:00 p.m. at established immunisation centres, as well as at temporary sites including schools and community centres to maximise outreach.
According to the minister, the campaign has been carefully designed following consultations with both national and international public health experts. High-risk zones were identified based on recent epidemiological data, which indicate that approximately 82 per cent of measles and rubella cases occur among children under the age of five. Consequently, all children within the specified age group will be vaccinated, regardless of their prior immunisation status.
The minister further explained that senior officials from the health ministry will be present at five उद्घোধনী locations on the first day to supervise the rollout, while local administrations and civil surgeons will oversee operations in the remaining areas. This coordinated approach is intended to ensure both efficiency and adherence to safety protocols.
In addition to vaccination, children presenting with symptoms such as fever or those already affected by illness will receive Vitamin A supplementation, which is known to strengthen immunity and reduce complications. However, healthy children will be administered only the vaccine, with no additional medication. Authorities have advised that children who are currently unwell or febrile should defer vaccination until they have recovered.
Officials emphasised that this is not a one-off intervention but part of a broader, ongoing public health strategy. While the first phase targets the most vulnerable regions, the programme will gradually expand nationwide. By July, it is expected to be fully integrated into the country’s routine immunisation schedule.
Addressing concerns over a decline in vaccination coverage in 2025, the minister noted that the government is focusing on immediate child protection rather than retrospective investigations. Strengthening immunisation coverage remains a top priority to prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.
The selected upazilas include areas such as Godagari in Rajshahi, Nawabganj in Dhaka, Lohajang and Srinagar in Munshiganj, Trishal in Mymensingh, and Maheshkhali and Ramu in Cox’s Bazar, among others.
A summary of the programme is provided below:
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Start Date | 5 April |
| Time | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Coverage | 30 upazilas in 18 districts |
| Target Age Group | 6–59 months |
| Special Provision | Vitamin A for affected children |
| Implementation Authority | Health Ministry & local administration |
Public health experts have welcomed the initiative, noting that timely and widespread immunisation is the most effective means of preventing outbreaks of highly contagious diseases such as measles and rubella. The campaign is therefore seen as a crucial step towards safeguarding child health and strengthening the country’s overall disease prevention framework.