An emergency month-long Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign was launched across the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Sunday, as the government ramps up efforts to curb a recent surge in preventable infectious diseases.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain inaugurated the initiative at the Nagar Bhaban auditorium, marking the simultaneous expansion of the drive into four major city corporations including Dhaka North, Mymensingh and Barishal.
Under this campaign, which will run until May 11, health authorities have targeted 402,456 children in the DSCC areas.
To facilitate the drive, 540 vaccination centers have been established, consisting of 90 permanent and 450 temporary locations. Children aged 6 to 59 months are eligible to receive the vaccine daily between 9 am and 4 pm.
Minister Husain emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that the Intensive Care Unit at the Mohakhali Infectious Disease Hospital has been rapidly activated to manage current cases.
He expressed gratitude to UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) for their logistical and technical support.
State Minister for Road Transport, Highways, and Railways Habibur Rashid Habib, attending as a special guest, described the rising measles cases as "alarming" and urged the media to assist in reaching working-class parents to ensure no child is left behind.
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DSCC Vaccination Campaign:
Duration: April 12 to May 11, 2026
Daily Timing: 9 am – 4 pm
Target Age Group: 6 to 59 months
Total Centers: 540 (90 Permanent, 450 Temporary)
Goal: 402,456 children in Dhaka South
DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam, who chaired the event, acknowledged that past negligence had contributed to the current outbreak but reaffirmed the administration's commitment to achieving full coverage.
Following the ceremony, officials visited the Nagar Maternity Centre in Khilgaon to monitor live vaccinations and participate in a community cleanliness drive.
The government has urged all city residents to bring their eligible children to the nearest vaccination center to ensure the success of the campaign.
The inauguration was also attended by DGHS Director General Prof. Dr. Pravath Chandra Biswas, UNICEF Deputy Representative Emmanuelle Abrioux, and WHO Deputy Representative Dr. Rajesh Narwal.
With Inputs from UNB
