The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) on Sunday launched an “Emergency Measles-Rubella Immunisation Campaign 2026” across its 10 regions, aiming to vaccinate around 500,000 children.
The campaign, which will run from 12 April to 11 May, was formally inaugurated in the capital’s Karail area.
Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare MA Muhit attended the ceremony as the chief guest, while DNCC Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan was present as a special guest.
Addressing the event, state minister emphasised that every child aged between six months and five years must receive the vaccine.
He informed that the immunisation drive has already commenced in 17 upazilas and four city corporations, with a nationwide measles vaccination programme set to begin on 20 April.
During the ceremony, DNCC administrator revealed plans to convert the Mohakhali DNCC COVID Hospital into a general hospital to provide improved healthcare services to city dwellers by utilising existing infrastructure.
Under this initiative, vaccines will be administered to all children aged six months to five years. To ensure comprehensive coverage, the DNCC has established a total of 599 centres, comprising 54 permanent and 502 temporary sites.
Additionally, 35 evening centres and eight Friday centres will be operational to facilitate the programme.
The campaign is being implemented by a dedicated workforce of 594 vaccinators, 650 volunteers, and 203 supervisors.
Authorities have urged all parents and guardians within the DNCC area to bring their eligible children to the designated centres to receive the vaccine.
The inauguration ceremony was presided over by DNCC Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Imrul Kayes. Other notable attendees included Dr Riad Mahmud, health manager (Immunisation) at UNICEF; Rana Flowers, UNICEF representative to Bangladesh; Dr Rajesh Narwal, representative of the World Health Organization (WHO); and Md Abdus Sattar Patwari, research officer at the Prime Minister’s Office.
