Oral Cholera Vaccination Campaign Launched for 5.2 Million People

A preventive oral cholera vaccination campaign has been launched in 14 high-risk upazilas and police jurisdictions across Bangladesh, targeting nearly 5.2 million people.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain inaugurated the campaign. People aged one year and above are receiving the oral cholera vaccine from 8am to 5pm under the programme.

The campaign aims to vaccinate around 5.175 million people in two rounds, requiring approximately 10.35 million doses. The targeted areas include Lalbagh, Gandaria, Kadamtali and Kamrangirchar in Dhaka South City Corporation, as well as Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Khilkhet and Tejgaon in Dhaka North City Corporation.

Munshiganj Sadar, Karimganj, Hossainpur and Tarail in Kishoreganj, Narayanganj Sadar, and Brahmanbaria Sadar and Nabinagar are also included in the campaign.

The health minister said the areas were selected based on scientific analysis and identified as high-risk zones. He stressed that vaccination, along with safe water, improved sanitation and disease surveillance, is crucial to preventing cholera.

The government also plans to expand the preventive programme to 144 high-risk upazilas and police jurisdictions across the country.