Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, April 16, 2026 (BSS) - As part of the implementation of the nationwide measles-rubella (M-R) vaccination campaign, a divisional advocacy meeting was held at the conference room of the Divisional Health Office this morning.

The meeting was chaired by Divisional Director of Health Dr Md Habibur Rahman. Divisional Commissioner Dr A N M Bazlur Rashid attended as the chief guest, while Rajshahi Range DIG Dr Mohammad Shahjahan was present as the special guest.

The last M-R campaign in the country was held in January 2021. First-dose coverage was 86 per cent and second-dose coverage was 80 per cent at that time, leaving a large number of children unvaccinated.

Although the M-R campaign was scheduled for 2024, it did not take place that year or the following year. As a result, measles cases began to rise across the country after December 2025, spreading nationwide after March 15 this year.

A significant number of children diagnosed with measles had not received the vaccine. About 50 per cent of infections occurred before children became eligible for vaccination, while another large group comprised those who were eligible but did not receive it.

Along with the rest of the country, vaccination will begin on April 20 and continue until May 10. During this period, the M-R vaccine will be administered for 14 working days in city corporations and 11 working days in other areas.

According to the Rajshahi Divisional Health Office, the campaign aims to vaccinate a total of 2,097,256 children across eight districts of the division.

This includes 273,584 children in Rajshahi district, of whom 54,144 are in Rajshahi City Corporation. Each child will receive one dose of the measles-rubella vaccine.

At the advocacy meeting, Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul Islam, Civil Surgeon Dr S I M Rajiul Karim, and heads of various divisional-level offices also spoke.