Dhaka: An emergency vaccination campaign to prevent measles and rubella has been launched in Cox’s Bazar, with Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed inaugurating the programme via video conference from Dhaka today. The inauguration took place at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference room in Cox’s Bazar this morning.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, under the government’s pilot initiative, a total of 120,000 children will be vaccinated in Ramu and Maheshkhali upazilas, identified as high-risk areas for measles. In his speech, the Home Minister emphasized that the government places the highest priority on child protection. Following the detection of the measles outbreak in Cox’s Bazar, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare promptly implemented a series of measures, he said.
These measures include active case search in affected areas, administration of two doses of Vitamin A capsules to infected children, vaccination of unvaccinated children, and strengthening healthcare services at both upazila and district levels. He also highlighted that, with support from UNICEF, the measles ward at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital has been expanded from 8 to 20 beds, an initiative that has received nationwide appreciation.
The event was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Md. A Mannan and attended by key officials, including Divisional Health Director Dr. Sheikh Fazle Rabbi, Acting Civil Surgeon Dr. Mohiuddin Mohammad Alamgir, Superintendent of Police Sajedur Rahman, Cox’s Bazar Press Club General Secretary Momtaz Uddin Bahari, and representatives from World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. Following the inauguration, the campaign officially began with the vaccination of children at the venue.
According to the Acting Civil Surgeon, the first phase will cover five unions and municipality in Maheshkhali and four unions in Ramu. On the opening day, authorities aim to vaccinate 4,230 children in Maheshkhali and 2,000 in Ramu. Parents expressed relief and satisfaction over the initiative. Sanaul Haque, father of a 13-month-old child, said the campaign has eased fears surrounding the outbreak. Similarly, Fahima Roksana Shiuli, who traveled from a hilly area to vaccinate her infant, shared her happiness and renewed sense of safety.
The campaign comes amid a growing measles outbreak in Cox’s Bazar district, where at least five children have died while undergoing treatment. In this context, the government’s rapid response has been widely welcomed as a timely and crucial step to contain the spread of the disease and protect vulnerable children.