DHAKA: The immunization campaign to protect children of the country from the deadly Measles and Rubella began across the country on Saturday.

Under the immunization campaign 5.20 children aged between nine moths to 15 years are to be administered with measles-rubella (MR) vaccines and all children below five years and be given two drops of oral polio vaccines each from January 25 to February 13 across the country.

In Chittagong, mayor M Manjur Alam inaugurated the immunization campaign at Uttar Kattali City Corporation High School and College with a target of brining more than 29.98 lakhs children aged between nine months and 15 years of the district under the programme.

Around 67,000 trained workers and 241,000 volunteers would participate in the programme.

Besides, under this campaign, around 5.20 crore child will be given MR vaccine and 2.20 crore will be given Polio vaccine.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in two separate messages, urged all to come forward to supplements the government`s initiatives of making Bangladesh a measles and rubella free country.

The President said, "The success of the campaign would help prevent two diseases -- measles and rubella-which will cut child mortality and disability of children."

In her message, the premier said the measles and rubella campaign would reduce mortality rate of the children and the diseases to make the country polio free.

BDST:  1346 HRS, JAN 25, 2014