A month-long measles–rubella-MR vaccination campaign will begin in Sylhet on April 20.
The campaign will run until May 19. During this period, a total of 68,550 children aged 6 months to 59 months within the Sylhet City Corporation area will receive one dose of the MR vaccine.
This information was shared at an awareness meeting held at the Nagar Bhaban on Thursday April 16.
The chief guest at the meeting was Sylhet City Corporation-SCC Administrator Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury.
He called for the cooperation of teachers from all educational institutions in the city, NGO workers, ward secretaries and all concerned to make the campaign successful.
The SCC Administrator said that access to healthcare is a fundamental right of citizens. The government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is committed to ensuring this right. He emphasized that this vaccination campaign is a very important initiative to prevent measles and rubella.
He further said, “Today’s children are our future. It is everyone’s responsibility to keep them healthy and safe. Timely vaccination is essential to prevent infectious diseases like measles and rubella. Therefore, everyone must play a responsible role from their respective positions to ensure the success of this campaign.”
Highlighting the importance of public awareness, he noted that many children miss vaccinations due to a lack of awareness. Parents need to be motivated so that no child is left out of vaccination within the scheduled time.
Special guest speeches were delivered by SCC Secretary Md Ashiq Noor. Additional speakers included Sylhet City Corporation Chief Health Officer Dr Md Zahidul Islam and Dr Fazlul Kader.
Dr Md Zahidul Islam stated that all children within the specified age group must receive one dose of the MR vaccine during the campaign, even if they have previously been vaccinated or have already had measles or rubella.
He also mentioned that online registration can be completed through the EPI vaccination app (VAXEPI) using a 17-digit birth registration number. However, vaccination can also be received directly at the centers without prior registration.
Students will be vaccinated at centers set up in their respective educational institutions.
On the other hand, children who are not enrolled in educational institutions will receive vaccines at existing permanent and temporary EPI centers.
Students who miss vaccination at their institutions can receive it from any nearby vaccination center. Press release