Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Affairs Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman announced that the government aims to vaccinate all children against measles across Bangladesh by May 21, ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. He made the statement during a press briefing at the Secretariat’s PID conference room on Tuesday. The adviser said that a new outbreak of measles has emerged and that the current government is taking the issue seriously to contain it.

According to Dr. Rahman, vaccination activities have already begun in 30 upazilas across 18 districts. From April 12, the campaign will expand to Dhaka North and South, Mymensingh, and Barishal, and from May 3, it will be conducted nationwide. The first phase targets 30 high-risk hotspot areas, with gradual expansion based on field readiness and disease conditions.

He added that isolation facilities have been arranged in government hospitals, health workers’ leave has been canceled, and doctors’ presence in district and upazila hospitals is being ensured. The adviser expressed sorrow over child deaths from measles and pledged to prevent such situations in the future.