Second-dose oral cholera vaccination begins tomorrow

The second dose of oral cholera vaccination drive will begin in five diarrhoea-prone areas of Dhaka city from August 3.
Those who received the first dose between June 26 and July 2 can get the second dose at their respective vaccination centres by showing their vaccine cards.
Under the supervision of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), icddr,b will administer the second dose of oral cholera vaccine from August 3 to August 10 (except Friday, August 5 and Ashura Day that falls on August 9) from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm, said a press release issued by icddr,b on Monday.
A total of 2.36 million residents of Jatrabari, Dakshin Khan, Sabujbagh, Mohammadpur and Mirpur who received the first dose of oral cholera vaccination will be given the second dose during this vaccination drive, it added.
Prof Dr Mohammad Nazmul Islam of DGHS said, "We have received an overwhelming response from the residents of five areas of Dhaka city. We have been able to vaccinate a record number of residents within a very short time."
Dr Firdausi Qadri, senior scientist and acting senior director of Infectious Diseases Division at icddr,b, urged all to get vaccinated with oral cholera vaccine and take disease preventive measures such as the use of safe water, safe sanitation and personal hygiene to get protected from many diseases, including diarrhoea.
Euvichol-Plus cholera vaccine, produced by EuBiologics Co Ltd, South Korea, which is given at least 14 days apart, will be administered to those who are above one year of age.
This vaccine is pre-qualified by the World Health Organization and can be given to all except pregnant women and those who have received any other vaccine within last 14 days.
icddr,b is undertaking the largest cholera vaccination campaign with support from Dhaka North City Corporation and Dhaka South City Corporation.

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