Special measles vaccine drive in Netrokona’s Atpara

14,809 children will be vaccinated across the seven unions in the Upazila over the next 21 days, an official says

A special measles vaccine drive for children has begun in Netrokona’s Atpara, which has been identified as at risk from the disease.

Children between the ages of six to 59 months will be administered the vaccine at 11 permanent and temporary centres in three of the Upazila’s unions on Sunday, according to Uttam Kumar Pal, the Upazila’s health and family planning officer.

He said 14,809 children will be vaccinated across the seven unions in the Upazila over the next 21 days in order to bring the disease under control. Each centre will have one vaccination official and two volunteer assistants.

Regular vaccinations will also be provided at 21 centres.

Pal inaugurated the special vaccination programme at the temporary centre at the home of Al Hajj Masum Chowdhury in the Upazila’s Baniajan village on Sunday morning.

So far, 10 children in the Upazila are being treated for measles-like symptoms. Of them, three have tested positive for the disease.