Over 2 Crore Children Vaccinated Against Measles: Minister

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain today visited Cumilla General Hospital.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said more than 2 crore children across the country have been vaccinated against measles, exceeding the government’s initial target.

Speaking to reporters at Cumilla Medical College Hospital on Monday morning, he said the ongoing vaccination campaign has already achieved a 122 percent coverage rate.

“The measles vaccination drive is still continuing even after surpassing the target,” the minister said.

He added that in 18 upazilas covered in the first phase of the campaign, measles infection rates have dropped to nearly zero.

The minister visited both Cumilla Medical College Hospital and Cumilla General Hospital during his tour.

He said children are being vaccinated under the routine Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) as well as special outreach campaigns.

Sakhawat Husain said the government is working seriously to prevent measles and gradually resolve challenges in the health sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Responding to a question on whether an independent investigation from the World Health Organization is being considered over measles infections and deaths, he said, “If I hang ten people but cannot save a mother from losing her child to measles, what is the point?”

He added that punishment alone is not the solution, stressing that the government’s priority is to protect children and prevent avoidable deaths.

Meanwhile, health authorities reported that 16 children died from measles-like symptoms in the 24 hours leading up to 8:00am on Sunday, marking the second-highest daily toll since the outbreak began in March.

With the latest fatalities, the total number of deaths this year has reached 528.