Measles vaccination campaign in June, targeting 2 crore children

The government is set to launch a special measles vaccination campaign in early June, outside the routine immunisation programme, in response to a rise in infections across the country.

The month-long drive aims to bring approximately 2 crore children under vaccine coverage.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Committee (NITAG) this morning (30 March), according to Dr Halimur Rashid, director of the Disease Control Unit at the Directorate General of Health Services.

Dr Rashid said that while routine measles vaccination is ongoing, the special campaign has been introduced as an additional measure to tackle the current surge in infections.

“At present, children receive the first dose of the measles vaccine at nine months and the second dose at 15 months. However, under this campaign, children aged between six months and 10 years will be vaccinated,” he said, adding that the age range has been expanded considering the higher infection rate among children.

He further noted that a registration process will be conducted prior to the campaign, and parents will be informed according to schedule.

The global vaccine alliance, Gavi, will provide necessary funding, vaccines, and logistical support. Vaccine supplies have already started arriving, and other equipment, including syringes, will be delivered in phases.

To ensure smooth implementation, field-level health workers will receive training, and microplanning will be done to ascertain how many children will be vaccinated when and where.

Earlier yesterday (29 March), the health ministry said it has allocated Tk604 crore on an emergency basis to procure new EPI vaccines. Plans are also underway to prepare dedicated hospitals, increase ICU beds and ventilators, and launch special vaccination campaigns.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services, measles cases are spreading across Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Khulna, and other regions.

Dr Mohammad Shahriar Sajjad, Deputy Director (EPI), told The Business Standard that the outbreak is no longer confined to specific areas.

“It is spreading across much of the country, including Rajshahi and Khulna. Such outbreaks, typically starting in spring, may last around two months. The number of cases has already exceeded 1,500, though we do not yet have accurate data on deaths,” he said.