Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– Bangladesh on Saturday completed first round of the 20th National Immunization Day (NID) across the country by providing two drops of polio vaccines to children aged 0-59 months aiming to sustain its polio-free status,
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the first round of the 20th NID by administrating two drops of polio vaccine and a vitamin-A capsule to a number of under 5-year children each at her Ganobhaban residence in the capital Dhaka Saturday morning.
Health Minister Dr AFM Ruhal Haque, Health Adviser to the Prime Minister Professor Dr Syed Modasser Ali and State Minister for Health Captain (retd) Dr Mazibur Rahman Fakir were present at the function chaired by Health Secretary Humayun Kabir.
The health minister also attended a `Shishu Mela’ at Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital (JBFH) on the day where he administered some children polio vaccines and visited art competition participated by children.
The second round of the campaign will be held countrywide on February 11.
Health workers and volunteers were tasked to administer oral polio vaccines to 24 million children aged 0-59 months and vitamin A capsules to 20 million children aged 6-59 months at 140,000 sites located in health facilities and health centres, schools and other makeshift sites like buses, ferries and train stations or terminals throughout the country from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, officials said.
BBN/SSR/AD-07Jan12-12:15 am (BST)
