Measles Vaccination Drive: Phase Two Launches in Dhaka & Barishal
Bangladesh begins the second phase of measles vaccinations in Dhaka and Barishal.
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Top Summary
- What happened: The second phase of a measles vaccination campaign has commenced in Barishal City Corporation (BCC) and Dhaka.
- Why it matters: It aims to protect children from a measles outbreak, which has seen over 14,000 suspected cases since March 15.
- What changes for people: Children in Barishal will receive vaccinations at pre-schools and community levels over a three-week period.
- Who is affected: Primarily children in Barishal City Corporation and Dhaka who are susceptible to measles.
Vaccination Campaign Underway
The second phase of the measles vaccination campaign has started today in Barishal City Corporation (BCC) and Dhaka. This follows a nationwide initiative aimed at safeguarding children from preventable diseases like measles.
The campaign follows the first phase that began on April 5, covering 30 Upazilas across 18 districts.
Barishal Vaccination Details
In Barishal, officials plan to vaccinate a total of 42,210 children. Of these, 33,600 will be vaccinated at the community level. The remaining 8,610 children will be vaccinated at the pre-school level.
The vaccination drive is scheduled to last for three weeks.
Campaign Timeline
The vaccination schedule is as follows:
- Week 1: Vaccinations at pre-school institutions
- Weeks 2 & 3: Community-level vaccination activities
Measles Outbreak Statistics
Recent data from the Directorate General of Health Services reveals the severity of the outbreak.
In the 24 hours leading up to 8:00 am Saturday, there were 888 new suspected measles cases. Sadly, one more suspected measles death was also reported.
"Protecting our children from preventable diseases is our utmost priority." - Health Official
Since March 15, a total of 145 suspected deaths and 14,385 suspected measles cases have been recorded nationwide.
What to Watch Next
Public health officials will closely monitor the progress of the vaccination campaign in Dhaka and Barishal. Continued surveillance for new measles cases and deaths will also be a priority in the coming weeks.