STAFF CORRESPONDENT

The government will launch a nationwide emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign from today, in an effort to curb a sharp rise in measles cases and deaths.

Around 1.8 crore children, aged between six months and under five years, are expected to be vaccinated during the drive, Hasanul Mahmud, assistant director of the Expanded Programme on Immunization, told The Daily Star yesterday.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the campaign in Bogura and Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain in Narayanganj’s Rupganj, according to the health ministry.

Amid the surge in measles cases and deaths, the government began an emergency vaccination campaign in 30 high-burden upazilas of 18 districts on April 5. The drive was later expanded to four city corporations -- Dhaka south, Dhaka north, Mymensingh, and Barishal -- from April 12.

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