Vaccination Campaign for Children in Bangladesh

In Panchagarh district, in the far north of Bangladesh, some have sacrificed a day's wages to have their children vaccinated against measles and polio during the UNICEF-supported campaign.

Vaccination Campaign for Children in Bangladesh Chris Niles: You are watching UNICEF Television. Panchagarh district in the far north of Bangladesh is remote and poor. Crushing rocks is one of the main ways for families to make a living. But today, some women have chosen to sacrifice a day’s wages so they can have their children vaccinated against measles and polio. They know about the campaign because it’s been vigorously promoted by loudspeaker announcements and visits by community health promoters, the most effective means of communication in a country where almost half the population is illiterate. Khadija: They announced the vaccination over the loudspeaker. My mother- in-law took my two children to get the vaccination today. I have so much work to do; I was not able to go. Chris Niles: These are among the 20 million children under the age of five who have been vaccinated against measles during the UNICEF supported campaign. 22 million children were also vaccinated against polio. Because of the publicity campaign, parents are aware of how important vaccination is. They travel by bicycle, rickshaw, van or simply walk many hours through fields to ensure their children get protection from these preventable diseases. This is Chris Niles reporting for UNICEF Television, Unite for Children.