Princh Mondal Olif, Bagerhat District Correspondent

A vaccination campaign has started in Chitalmari upazila of Bagerhat to protect young children from measles and rubella. Under this program, a total of 15,067 children aged between six months and under five years will receive the vaccine free of cost.

The campaign was officially launched on Monday, April 20, at around 12 PM at the Upazila Health Complex auditorium by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Khadija Akter.

In her speech, she said that measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause serious problems in children, such as pneumonia, diarrhea, brain infection, and even death. She also said that if a pregnant woman gets infected with rubella, it can cause birth defects in her baby. To prevent these risks, the government has taken this combined vaccination program.

She added that the campaign will continue until May 10, every day from 8 AM to 4 PM. She requested all parents to bring their children to the nearest vaccination centers on time.

According to the Upazila Health and Family Planning Office, children from all 7 unions and 1 municipality of Chitalmari will be covered under this program. A total of 63 EPI (Expanded Programme on Immunization) centers, including the Upazila Health Complex, will provide the vaccines.

So far, 10,000 doses of the measles-rubella vaccine have already reached the health complex. The remaining doses will be collected gradually from the Civil Surgeon’s Office as needed. The health department has completed all necessary preparations to maintain the quality of the vaccines and proper cold chain.

The inauguration meeting was chaired by Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Shormi Roy. Others present included Medical Officer Dr. M R Farazi, Upazila Primary Education Officer Achyutananda Das, Sub-Inspector of Chitalmari Police Station Sujoy Kumar Mallik, President & General secretary of Chitalmari Press Club Md. Ekramul Haque Munshi & Prince Mondal Olif, President of Chitalmari Upazila Press Club Selim Sultan Sagar, and Pharmacist Shishir Majumdar.

Dr. Shormi Roy said that health workers and volunteers are visiting homes to encourage parents to bring their children for vaccination. Their main goal is to make sure that no child is left out.

The health department also said that children do not need to bring a birth certificate or vaccination card to receive the vaccine. Any child within the age group can get vaccinated at the nearest center. If a child is sick with fever, cold, or any illness, the vaccine can be given after recovery.

Officials hope that with everyone’s support, all 15,067 children in Chitalmari will be vaccinated within the scheduled time. This program is expected to reduce child deaths and improve children’s immunity in the area.