KHULNA, March 15, 2020 (BSS) – Over 5-lakh children from 9 months to10-
year age group will be immunized with one dose of measles-rubella (MR)
vaccine in the forthcoming Measles-Rubella Campaign- 2020 aiming to build up
immunity against the disease and reduce its transmission among them.
This was disclosed by Dr Sujat Ahmed, Civil Surgeon of Khulna at a press
conference on “Measles-Rubella Campaign-2020’at School Health Clinic in the
city here this morning.
The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) of the Directorate General
of Health Services, World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF has extended
their cooperation in arranging the event.
The Civil Surgeon read-out key-note paper of the event that will be held
in two phases from March 18 to 24 next at primary school level and March 25
to April 12 next at community level in the district.
Medical Officer Dr Sheikh Sadia Monwara, Dr Palash Ghosh, Surveillance
Medical Officer of the Immunization and Vaccine Development Programme of WHO
at the Civil Surgeon Office Dr Sayed Ahsan and general secretary of Khulna
Press Club Md Mamun Reza also spoke.
The Civil Surgeon said 2,33,878 students from class one to four of 1,859
primary level educational institutions will be immunised with one dose of MR
vaccine in the first phase.
“Besides, 1,85,200 children of the same age group will get one dose of
MR vaccine in the second phase of the campaign at community levels,” he
added.
He sought media cooperation in raising public awareness to make the
forthcoming measles-rubella vaccination campaign in two phases for ensuring
immunization of cent percent targeted children to protect them from various
diseases.
Dr Sayed Ahsan termed measles as one of the most infectious human
diseases and put importance on enhancing public awareness to ensure
vaccination to cent percent children.
“Rubella infection among women, especially among pregnant mothers, may
pass the virus to fetus resulting in miscarriage or congenital defects those
might cause cataracts, glaucoma and congenital heart disease to the
newborns,” he said.