MR vaccination drive begins nationwide

A nationwide measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign has officially begun under the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), aiming to protect millions of children across the country.

The campaign was inaugurated on Monday (April 20) at around 8:15am by Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain at Little Angel Seminary in Jinda Park under Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj.

The programme will be conducted daily from 8:00am at all permanent and temporary vaccination centres, excluding weekly holidays.

Under the initiative, an estimated 18 million children aged between 6 months and 59 months will be vaccinated.

According to EPI officials, the campaign will be implemented across all regions of the country, including 30 upazilas in 18 districts and four city corporations.

The vaccination drive is being carried out in phases. The first phase, which began on April 5 in selected areas, will continue until April 25. The second phase, launched on April 12 in Dhaka South, Dhaka North, Barishal and Mymensingh city corporations, will run until May 12.

The nationwide special campaign starting from April 20 will continue until May 12 in most parts of the country, while it will extend until May 20 in city corporation areas.

Officials from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) have advised that children who are currently ill or running a fever should not be vaccinated during the campaign period and should receive the vaccine once they have fully recovered.