The Health Department in Noakhali has completed preparations for a large-scale vaccination campaign to prevent measles, aiming to bring approximately 505,350 children under immunization coverage, according to the Civil Surgeon's Office.
The information was shared by Civil Surgeon Dr. Anwar Hossain at a press conference held on Saturday afternoon at the Noakhali Civil Surgeon's Office. He stated that, like the rest of the country, Noakhali has recently seen a rise in measles cases, prompting immediate preventive measures. So far, 273 suspected measles cases have been identified, with 61 patients currently undergoing treatment in various hospitals.
Samples sent to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) in Dhaka confirmed 8 cases of measles. The vaccination campaign will cover children aged 6 months to 5 years across 9 upazilas, 8 municipalities, 91 unions, 279 wards, as well as 1,385 schools and 1,480 madrasas in the district. To implement the campaign, 2,241 vaccinators and 4,482 volunteers will be deployed in the field.
Dr. Hossain emphasized that measles is a highly contagious viral disease but is completely preventable through timely vaccination. He stressed that no child should be left out of the program. Special plans have been taken to reach remote areas, and high-risk zones have already been identified. Immediate measures are being taken whenever new cases are detected.
Local administration is supporting the campaign, with increased field-level monitoring and public awareness initiatives through the media. The Civil Surgeon urged parents and guardians not to be misled by rumors or misinformation about vaccines and to ensure their children receive vaccinations on time. Vaccination centers will be set up in every union, ward, and municipality, as well as in schools, mosques, and community centers. Over 2,000 health workers and volunteers have already been trained for the campaign. Officials also reported that most patients currently under treatment are in stable condition, and no child deaths from measles have been reported in Noakhali so far.
