A massive cholera vaccination campaign began on Sunday in Ukhiya and Teknaf sub-districts to protect nearly one million Rohingyas from potential outbreak of the disease during the ongoing monsoon season.
As many as 245 mobile vaccination teams have been deployed to vaccinate all people over the age of one year during nearly week-long campaign.
The campaign is led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with support of World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and icddr,b and other partners, said a press release.
“Considering the water and sanitation conditions in the overcrowded camps and the increased risk of disease outbreaks in the monsoon season, the health sector is taking all possible measures to prevent cholera and other water and vector borne diseases,” said Dr. Bardan Jung Rana, WHO Representative to Bangladesh.
“This vaccination campaign is a part of the ongoing efforts of the government and the health sector partners to protect nearly a million people, including at least 135,000 Bangladeshis, who have been affected by the influx since last year,” said Professor Dr. Abul Kalam Azad, Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
This is a second cholera vaccination campaign being held for the Rohingyas and their host communities.
Earlier 900,000 doses of oral cholera vaccine were administered to the vulnerable population in two phases in October – November last year.
