The government has announced to start an emergency vaccination programme as the number of measles infections in the country is increasing rapidly. Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain
Speaking at a press conference at the secretariat on Wednesday, the minister said that the upazilas that are more infected will be given priority initially. It is planned to bring all children from six months to ten years old under the program.
Preparations at all levels of the health department have been strengthened to implement the program. He said the holiday of the health workers concerned has been temporarily cancelled to keep the vaccination programme seamless.
According to the Ministry of Health, the infection of measles has increased significantly in recent times. At least four children have died of the disease in the last 24 hours. The death toll has risen to 44 so far this year.
However, according to experts, the actual number of deaths may be higher, as it is not possible to collect full information in all cases. In this context, the government sees the fast and comprehensive vaccination programme as the main way to control the infection.