Chitalmari: A nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign began in Chitalmari upazila today, targeting 15,067 children aged between six months and five years. Upazila Executive Officer Khadija Akhter inaugurated the campaign at the Upazila Health Complex auditorium.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, health officials emphasized the importance of the campaign, noting that measles is highly contagious and can lead to complications such as pneumonia, diarrhea, malnutrition, and vision loss. Rubella infection during pregnancy poses risks of severe birth defects. The campaign aims to mitigate these health risks.
The vaccination initiative will be conducted daily from 8 am to 4 pm at 63 EPI centres across seven unions and one municipality, including the Upazila Health Complex. Health assistants, family welfare workers, and volunteers are involved in the field-level implementation of the campaign.
In the first phase, around 10,000 vaccine doses have been delivered to the upazila, with proper cold chain management in place. Additional doses will be provided as needed to ensure the campaign’s success.
Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Sharmi Roy, who led the inauguration ceremony, encouraged parents to vaccinate their children promptly, assuring them of the vaccine’s safety. Health workers are actively conducting door-to-door awareness campaigns to ensure full coverage of the target population.
Officials clarified that no birth certificate or vaccination card is required for vaccination. Eligible children can receive the vaccine at nearby centres, and arrangements are made to vaccinate sick children after their recovery.
Authorities are determined to vaccinate all targeted children within the campaign period, which ends on May 10.