Bangladesh Launches Measles-Rubella Campaign

Bangladesh has launched a nationwide emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign to combat a significant increase in measles cases and deaths. The campaign aims to vaccinate approximately 1.8 crore children aged between six months and under five years. Sardar Shakhawat Hossain Bakul, the Health and Family Welfare Minister, formally inaugurated the drive. The campaign builds upon earlier efforts, which began on April 5 in 30 high-burden upazilas across 18 districts and expanded to four city corporations (Dhaka South, Dhaka North, Mymensingh, and Barishal) on April 12. The nationwide drive will continue until May 20 in city corporation areas and until May 12 in other parts of the country. UNICEF, Gavi, and the World Health Organization are supporting this initiative. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is also scheduled to inaugurate the campaign in Bogura.