Over 20M Children Vaccinated Against Measles: Health Minister

Health Minister Sardar Md. Shakhawat Hossain said the country’s measles vaccination campaign has achieved 122 percent of its target.

He said more than 20 million children have already been vaccinated against measles, adding that the infection rate has dropped to nearly zero in 18 upazilas where the first phase of the campaign was conducted.

The minister shared the information with reporters on Monday morning after inspecting Comilla Medical College Hospital and Comilla General Hospital. He visited the facilities to review whether emergency medical services were being properly managed ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.

When asked whether the government would seek an independent investigation from the World Health Organization into measles infections and deaths, the minister said, “Even if I execute ten people, if I cannot stop mothers from losing their children to measles, would I be saved? Punishment alone cannot solve the problem.”

He said the government’s main priority is to ensure protection for children affected by measles and to prevent any mother from experiencing the loss of a child.

During the visit, the health minister also heard about various problems and shortages in the hospitals. He inspected the quality of food served at the hospitals and inquired about complaints raised by patients.