Measles vaccination campaign to begin in Chandpur tomorrow

A measles vaccination campaign will begin in the remaining six upazilas of Chandpur district from tomorrow as part of an effort to curb the recent rise in infections. The district health department announced the initiative at a press conference held at Chandpur Press Club auditorium here today. According to a written statement presented on behalf of the Civil Surgeon of Chandpur by Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Md. Rafiqul Hasan Faisal.

The campaign had already started on April 5 in Chandpur Sadar and Haimchar upazilas due to a higher prevalence of measles in those areas. The official inauguration of the expanded campaign will take place tomorrow morning at Chandpur Collectorate School, to be opened by Member of Parliament Shafik Farid Ahmed Manik. In the first phase, a total of 61,720 children were vaccinated in Chandpur Sadar and Haimchar and Chandpur municipal areas as of April 18. The campaign in these areas will continue until April 25. In the second phase, the vaccination drive will run from tomorrow to May 10 in the remaining six upazilas.

Of these, three days will be dedicated to educational institutions and eight days to the community-based vaccination centres. Health officials have set a target to vaccinate 72,874 children across the district. Authorities emphasized on the need for strong media support to ensure maximum participation. Responding to questions, Dr. Faisal said that 304 children have been hospitalized with measles symptoms so far. Among them, 52 cases have been confirmed and three deaths have been reported. Currently, on an average of three to four children are being admitted to hospitals daily with suspected measles. Journalists from national and local media outlets along with Chandpur Press Club President Sohel Rushdi were present at the briefing.