Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain launches month-long measles-rubella vaccination campaign targeting over three lakh children in Chattogram. Photo : BSS

CHATTOGRAM, April 16, 2026 (BSS) - City Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain has announced a month-long vaccination campaign scheduled from April 20 to May 20 with a target to vaccinate over 3 lakh children with the measles-rubella vaccine in the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) area.
 
Dr. Shahadat Hossain shared the information during a press conference held at the CCC Public Library Conference Room on the banks of Laldighi in the city today.
 
During the press conference, the mayor emphasized the importance of vaccinating children against measles, a highly contagious viral disease that can weaken the immune system and lead to serious complications like pneumonia, diarrhea, malnutrition, and brain inflammation. It is crucial to ensure that every child receives the vaccine.
 

The campaign aims to provide one dose of measles-rubella vaccine to all children aged 6 months to 59 months in the CCC area. Vaccination will be conducted from 8 am to 5 pm daily, excluding Fridays and public holidays.
 
A total of 3,300 children in 41 wards across 7 zones are targeted for vaccination. The campaign will utilize 48 permanent teams, 205 temporary teams, 41 mop-up teams, and 14 evening vaccination sessions. Guardians are encouraged to register online using their 17-digit birth registration number, but unregistered children will not be denied vaccination. Children in slums and high-risk areas will be identified and vaccinated.
 
Extensive preparations have been made at central and field levels for the campaign's success, including health worker training, volunteer preparation, coordination with religious leaders and teachers, miking, and mass awareness activities.
 
The success of the programme requires the cooperation of people from all sectors, including journalists, teachers, imams, and professionals. A joint effort is essential to create a healthy and safe Chattogram. The inaugural ceremony of the vaccination campaign will take place at the Chattogram City General Hospital auditorium on April 20 at 10 am. The Health Department, Chittagong City Corporation, Department of Health, Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, UNICEF, Gavi, and other organizations, including the World Health Organization, are collaborating on this program. 
The programme was chaired by the Chief Executive Officer (Acting) of CCC, Mohammad Ashraful Amin. Other attendees included Divisional Director (Health) Sheikh Fazle Rabbi, Civil Surgeon Dr. Jahangir Alam, Chief Health Officer of CCC Dr. Md. Imam Hossain Rana, Dr. Hosne Ara, Dr. Tapan Kumar, Dr. Khadija Ahmed, Dr. Abdul Majid Sikder, UNICEF Health Officer Dr. Delwar Hossain, World Health Organization Divisional Coordinator Dr. Imong Pro Chowdhury, and Deputy Director of Islamic Foundation Fahmida Begum.