2.39 lakh children in Faridpur to get measles-rubella vaccine this year

A press conference was held at the auditorium of Sadar Hospital on Saturday (April 18) at 11 am on the occasion of the measles-rubella vaccination program in Faridpur, initiated by the District Civil Surgeon’s Office. Faridpur Civil Surgeon Dr. Mahmudul Hasan presented various information to the journalists.
At the press conference, the Civil Surgeon said that due to the increase in the outbreak of measles across the country, the government has taken up a national-level comprehensive vaccination program to protect all children aged 6 months to 5 years from measles and rubella diseases. Under this program, one dose of measles-rubella vaccine will be provided to children completely free of cost. He further said that this program will continue nationwide from tomorrow, April 20 to May 10. Vaccination will be provided from 8 am to 4 pm at a total of 2,693 vaccination centers in Faridpur district.
It was informed in the press conference that even if previously vaccinated, under this program, every child between the ages of 6 months and 5 years will be given an additional dose of vaccine. Although the regular EPI program is vaccinated at the age of 9 and 15 months, this additional dose will further increase the child’s immunity. However, a minimum gap of 28 days must be maintained between the two doses.
The District Health Department said that a massive publicity campaign has been started to make this program successful. Awareness meetings have been held with the participation of dignitaries and promotional activities have been carried out through Imams and concerned persons in various religious and social institutions including mosques. In addition, letters have been sent to various government and private institutions.
A total target of 2 lakh 39 thousand 755 children has been set for vaccination in the district. This includes 9 upazilas, 79 unions, 237 wards and 27 wards of Faridpur Municipality. The vaccination centers include 738 permanent EPI centers, 10 additional centers, 14 EPI vaccination centers and 1,931 centers in educational institutions; a total of 2,693 centers.
At the press conference, Civil Surgeon Dr. Mahmudul Hasan said, everyone’s cooperation is needed to make this campaign successful. We want to build a measles-rubella-free Bangladesh by preventing misinformation through awareness-raising. He sought all-out cooperation from journalists. Journalists from various print and electronic media of Faridpur were present at the time.