MR vaccination drive begins across four major city corporations

Government has launched a special measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign across four major city corporations from Sunday (April 12), responding to rising measles cases nationwide.

The programme is being rolled out in Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka South City Corporation, Mymensingh City Corporation, and Barishal City Corporation, targeting a total of 12,19,957 children.

According to health authorities, the campaign will run daily from 8:00am to 4:00pm, excluding public holidays, and continue until May 11.

Officials said the initiative will later be expanded nationwide from April 20 in phases.

Under the plan, 6.47 lakh children in Dhaka South, 4.65 lakh in Dhaka North, 62,000 in Mymensingh, and 45,000 in Barishal will receive vaccines.

The programme was formally inaugurated at Ershad Field in the Karail slum area of Dhaka North City Corporation, with Health State Minister Dr. MA Muhith attending as chief guest.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 888 new suspected cases were reported in the past 24 hours, including 80 confirmed infections. Two additional deaths were also reported during the same period.

Since March 15, a total of 9,463 patients have been hospitalised with suspected measles symptoms, while 14,385 people have sought treatment. So far, 2,489 cases have been laboratory-confirmed, with 169 deaths reported, including 24 confirmed measles fatalities and 145 suspected cases.