Health Minister Sardar Mohammad Sakhawat Hussain has said that the government will identify and take action against those found responsible for recent measles-related deaths once an official investigation is completed.
He made the remarks on Wednesday at the Secretariat during a programme marking the handover of polio vaccines donated by the Sinovac Foundation of China.
The minister said that while the recent measles outbreak had shown characteristics similar to a natural disaster, the situation had largely been brought under control through expanded immunisation efforts. He added that vaccination activities have already been completed in most districts, and the remaining children who were missed will also be brought under coverage.
He also confirmed that the government has received 76,616 vials of vaccines from Sinovac, supplied with endorsement from the Chinese government, which is equivalent to 383,080 doses. According to him, this additional supply will further strengthen the national immunisation programme.
“We already have sufficient vaccines in stock, and polio vaccination will continue smoothly without disruption,” he said.
The minister further informed that anti-rabies vaccination activities have already begun across the country, ensuring wider access to treatment and prevention services. He assured that no patient would be left outside the vaccination system.
He added that children will start receiving Vitamin A capsules from June, although there is currently a minor shortage. The government expects the supply situation to improve by next month, enabling the planned twice-yearly distribution cycle to continue without interruption.
Officials said the Sinovac Foundation’s donation of around 3,80,000 polio vaccine doses will help strengthen Bangladesh’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) and support ongoing public health campaigns.
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