Nurul Amin Khan, Sylhet Bureau Chief: The Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) has decided not to begin a measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign for now, as infection rates in the region have not risen to an alarming level. However, authorities have kept all necessary preparations in place.

Chief Health Officer of SCC, Dr. Zahidul Islam, informed journalists on Sunday morning that measles infections in Sylhet have not increased significantly compared to other districts in the country. He also noted that Sylhet is not categorized as a high-, medium-, or low-risk area.

“Even so, we are fully prepared. If the infection rate rises, we will take immediate action,” he said.

Dr. Islam added that a vaccination campaign is expected to begin in the Sylhet metropolitan area in early next month. Under this program, all children aged between six months and 59 months will be vaccinated, regardless of whether they have previously received the vaccine.

Health officials said that most measles cases are found among children, which is why they are being prioritized in the first phase. Healthy children will receive only the vaccine, with no additional medication.

The special immunization program has been planned based on recommendations from national and international experts, focusing on identified high-risk areas—though Sylhet is not currently among them.

Meanwhile, the nationwide campaign began at 9:00 am on Sunday in 30 upazilas across 18 districts.