Govt searching unvaccinated children thru miking: Health Minister

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain on Sunday said the government is searching for children who missed measles vaccination through public announcements and ensuring they are brought under the immunisation programme.

“We have completed measles vaccination activities by 100 to 104 percent in most districts. Those who have not yet received the vaccine are now being identified through miking and brought under vaccination coverage,” he said.

The minister made the remarks while addressing a seminar titled ‘Public Awareness and Prevention are the Best Ways to Control Measles and Dengue’ as the chief guest at the National Press Club in Dhaka.

The seminar was organised by the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB).

Sakhawat Husain said malnutrition among mothers is one of the major reasons why measles-infected children later develop pneumonia.

“I visited hospitals and found that many mothers of children suffering from measles are themselves malnourished. Many do not provide adequate breastfeeding to their babies,” he said.

He added that children receive immunity from their mothers for up to nine months and lack of regular breastfeeding leaves them vulnerable to malnutrition and pneumonia, which is contributing to child deaths.

Highlighting the importance of isolation, the adviser said a measles patient can spread the virus from four days before rashes appear and one infected person can transmit the disease to as many as 18 others.

“So children need to be kept relatively separated from other children during this time. Hospitals have also been instructed to remain highly cautious about isolating measles patients,” he added.

The seminar was chaired by acting DAB Secretary General Prof Dr Md Abul Kenan.

Former DAB Secretary General Dr Md Abdus Salam, DAB Secretary General Dr Md Zahirul Islam Shakil and others also spoke at the programme.

AM