A nationwide emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign was officially launched in the country on Monday targeting approximately 1.8 crore children aged between six months and under five.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain inaugurated the Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign 2026 at a centre set up at Little Angels Seminary School in Zinda Park, Rupganj, Narayanganj.
In Rajshahi, the vaccination campaign began across Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) areas, with a total of 438 permanent and temporary centers.
The campaign was inaugurated in the morning by RCC Administrator Mahfuzur Rahman Riton at the Urban Primary Health Center in the city
The campaign runs from April 20 to May 10, 2026. The target is to vaccinate 54,144 children in the Rajshahi metropolitan area.
At the inauguration, RCC Administrator Mahfuzur Rahman said the present government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has taken various steps to prevent measles-rubella.
As part of that, the measles-rubella vaccination campaign has started nationwide on Monday. Over 14 working days from April 20 to May 10, 2026, the goal is to vaccinate a total of 54,144 children in the RCC area: 45,623 children at the community level and 8,521 children at the school level.
In Khulna, Khulna City Corporation Administrator Md Nazrul Islam Manju inaugurated the 2026 measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign at the Amirabanu Begum Nagar Maternal Health Centre in the Custom Ghat area of the city.
The Health Department of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) organised the campaign.
Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Manju said the government has taken all necessary measures, with due importance, to bring children under vaccination coverage as many have already been affected by measles.
Emphasising the seriousness of the campaign, he said measles is a virus-borne disease like COVID-19, and therefore, the importance of measles vaccination must be realised in a similar manner.
He said no child should be left out of the campaign and urged mothers, in particular, to be more attentive in bringing their children to vaccination centres.
KCC Chief Executive Officer Rajib Ahmed presided over the ceremony.
In Thakurgaon, a nationwide effort to protect children from measles and rubella has officially begun in Thakurgaon under the ‘Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign 2026.’
The campaign was inaugurated 10 by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rafiqul Haque, who formally launched the program by releasing balloons at the EPI Vaccination Centre of the 250-bed Thakurgaon General Hospital. Following the inauguration, vaccination activities began simultaneously across the entire district.
According to the district health authorities, a total of 142,511 children are expected to be vaccinated under this initiative in Thakurgaon. To implement the program, 1,363 vaccination centres have been established throughout the district, including 6 permanent and 1,357 temporary sites.
The campaign will continue for six months, with vaccination centres operating daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. All children under the age of five are eligible to receive the vaccine.
Health officials said the initiative is expected to significantly strengthen protection against measles and rubella among children. They also emphasized the importance of active participation from parents to ensure the success of the program.
District Civil Surgeon Dr Anisur Rahman, Medical Officer Iftekhairul Islam, and other health officials were present at the inauguration ceremony.
In Gopalganj, the official inauguration of the measles-rubella vaccination drive took place at 11:00 am in the conference room of Gopalganj Municipality. The program was chaired by Civil Surgeon Dr Abu Said Mohammad Faruk, while Deputy Commissioner Md Arif-uz-Zaman attended as the chief guest.
Superintendent of Police Md Habibullah and Superintendent of Gopalganj General Hospital Dr Jeebitesh Biswas, among others, attended the event as special guests.
Following the inauguration, children present at the venue were administered the measles-rubella vaccine.
Civil Surgeon Dr Abu Said Mohammad Faruk said the vaccination campaign will continue until May 10, aiming to ensure full coverage of eligible children across the district.
