Measles vaccine demand in Chattogram division hits 73.5 lakh, stock only 83,000

The demand for measles vaccines in the
Chattogram division stands at over 73.5 lakh doses, while only 83,000 doses are
currently in stock, according to the Chattogram Divisional Health Department.
Dr Sheikh Fazle
Rabbi, director of the Chattogram Health Department, confirmed to The Business
Standard (TBS) that a total demand for 7,376,235 vaccine doses has already been
submitted to the Ministry of Health.
He said,
"Based on the demand received from 11 districts and two city corporations
in the division, a coordinated plan has been developed to vaccinate children
aged between six months and 10 years."
He added that the department currently has
only 83,000 doses in stock, and an additional 200,000 doses are urgently needed
to address the immediate situation.
Available vaccines
will be distributed on a priority basis to city corporations, districts, and upazilas,
considering demand and infection rates, he said.
Meanwhile, the
infection has spread alarmingly among children in Chattogram.
According to the
latest update, two more children have died after showing symptoms of measles
and pneumonia at Chattogram Medical College Hospital.
Doctors said around 70% of the infected and deceased children had not yet
reached the eligible age for vaccination.
Although measles
vaccination typically begins at nine months, children younger than five months
are now also being infected, raising concern.
In response, the
government has announced plans to lower the minimum age for measles vaccination
to six months.
Health department
sources told TBS that recently, hospital admissions of children with symptoms
of measles and pneumonia have increased across several districts in the
division.
Hundreds of
children are currently undergoing treatment at both government and private
hospitals.
So far, no cases
of measles or pneumonia have been reported in Rangamati district. However,
measles-like symptoms have spread across several districts including
Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Cumilla, Feni, Noakhali, Chandpur, and
Brahmanbaria.
Among these,
children in Chattogram city and Cox's Bazar are considered most at risk.
Brig Gen Mohammad
Taslim Uddin, director of Chattogram Medical College Hospital, told TBS,
"Two children from Cox's Bazar have died while undergoing treatment for
measles and pneumonia at CMCH. Among the 49 admitted children, there are
patients from both within and outside Chattogram city."
Health experts say
seasonal changes, gaps in vaccination coverage, and lack of awareness in some
areas may have contributed to the situation.
Remote and
hard-to-reach regions are particularly vulnerable due to lower immunisation
coverage.
Dr Fazle Rabbi
told TBS, "Vaccine demand has been determined based on data from 11
districts and two city corporations, including the three hill districts. We
will receive the doses in phases accordingly."
He added,
"Compared to urban and upazila areas, special vaccination efforts in the
three hill districts will require military support. Alongside health workers,
the army and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will assist, including transporting
vaccines to remote hill tracts by military helicopters to ensure no child is
left out."
Hospitals in
Chattogram are also taking special measures to treat patients with measles and
pneumonia symptoms, Dr Rabbi said.
The Bangladesh
Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (BITID) has been kept ready, and
Ward No 8 of Chattogram Medical College Hospital will be designated for
treating measles patients, he added.
According to health department data,
district-wise vaccine demand is as follows:
Chattogram:
1,242,729 doses
Cox's Bazar:
700,105 doses
Cumilla: 1,223,780
doses
Feni: 315,425
doses
Noakhali: 936,180
doses
Lakshmipur:
481,852 doses
Brahmanbaria:
886,393 doses
Chandpur: 603,773
doses
Bandarban: 91,723
doses
Rangamati: 111,590
doses
Khagrachhari:
123,841 doses
Chattogram City
Corporation: 580,363 doses
Cumilla City
Corporation: 78,484 doses
















