(BSS)- The government has administered measles vaccines to 1,97,71,720 children across the country in five months under ongoing measles-rubella vaccination programme.

This figure exceeded the initial target of vaccination by about 10 percent.

When the country witnessed a measles outbreak at the end of March this year, the government swiftly launched an emergency vaccination programme on April 5 covering 30 upazilas in 18 districts at the first phase.

The second phase of vaccination began on April 12 in four major city corporations (Dhaka South, Dhaka North, Barishal, and Mymensingh), and at the final third phase, the ongoing nationwide measles-rubella vaccination drive commenced on April 20, said officials at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

However, due to the persisting measles outbreak, the government is set to launch another massive vaccination campaign starting on September 26 to prevent the disease.

Initially, the officials said, the programme aimed to vaccinate about 1.8 crore children nationwide. But the vaccination coverage surpassed the target due to various government initiatives.

According to data of DGHS, the government`s target was to vaccinate 1,80,15,064 children against measles and rubella. But, as of September 13, a total of 1,97,71,720 children received the vaccine.

Data obtained from the integrated control centre for the measles-rubella vaccine shows that 11,10,698 children received the measles-rubella vaccine in Barishal division, while 48,41,924 in Chattogram division, 49,19,913 in Dhaka division, 16,95,779 in Khulna division, 15,30,916 in Mymensingh division, 22,13,197 in Rajshahi division, 20,73,488 in Rangpur division and 13,85,805 in Sylhet division.

Among the city corporation areas, 44,119 children were administered with the vaccine in Barishal city, while 3,36,870 in Chattogram city, 48,643 in Cumilla city, 5,57,688 in Dhaka north city, 4,18,972 in Dhaka south city, 2,06,927 in Gazipur city, 83,697 in Narayanganj city, 96,792 in Khulna city, 62,305 in Mymensingh city, 63,059 in Rajshah city, 82,253 in Rangpur city and 72,349 in Sylhet city.

DGHS Additional Director General Professor Dr Zahid Raihan told BSS that vaccinating children is an ongoing process.

However, he said, the announcement to administer measles vaccines to children on a massive scale across the country starting September 26 is an intensified effort by the government.

The primary objective of this programme is to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated, he added.