‎The government has launched a special catch-up or mop-up campaign to identify children who were missed in previous vaccination programmes and bring them under measles-rubella vaccination coverage.

‎The government aims to vaccinate around 35 lakh more children within the next month, said State Minister for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit.

‎He made the remarks while visiting a vaccination session of the special Measles-Rubella Catch-up Campaign 2026 at the T&T playground of Korail in the capital on Wednesday morning.

‎‎Eric Geelan, Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Dhaka, and Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan were also present during the visit.

‎‎The state minister said around 2 crore children across the country have already been brought under measles-rubella vaccination coverage.

‎“However, the government is not stopping there. The mop-up campaign is being conducted to ensure that not a single child is left out of the vaccination programme,” he said.

He said efforts are underway to identify children who were missed for various reasons during the previous phase of the campaign. These include children living in remote hilly areas, river islands and other hard-to-reach areas, as well as children with disabilities and those who could not receive vaccines for other reasons.

‎“We will reach every household and every child and ensure their safety and lives,” he said.

‎Dr Muhit said the government aims to bring around 35 lakh more children under the vaccination programme within the next month.

‎‎Through the campaign, efforts are being made to identify missed children and ensure that they receive the vaccine, he said.

‎The state minister said the government is giving special importance to preventive healthcare alongside strengthening the country’s health system. The Ministry of Health, local government institutions, city corporations and field-level health workers are working together to implement the campaign, he said.

‎‎He expressed gratitude to the US government, Gavi and UNICEF for their support for the vaccination campaign.

‎‎He also praised the role of health workers, city corporations and field-level personnel in implementing the programme.

‎‎He said children living in remote hilly areas and river islands have also been brought under the vaccination programme through joint efforts.

‎‎“Whatever obstacles or challenges may come, the government has given the highest priority to public health by working with the people and with all local and international organisations,” he said.

‎‎Meanwhile, DNCC Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan said the city corporation is giving the highest priority to the vaccination programme as part of its continued efforts.

‎‎“Children who were missed are being identified through door-to-door visits and brought under the vaccination programme,” he said.

‎‎He said the DNCC is working in coordination with the Directorate General of Health Services and other relevant agencies to ensure vaccination for children who have not yet received the vaccine at the final stage of the campaign.

‎‎He also thanked the US Embassy, Gavi and UNICEF for their support in protecting children’s health.