Rajshahi, Nov 07 (V7N) – Khondakar Azim Ahmed, Divisional Commissioner of Rajshahi and Administrator of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC), emphasized that no one should be forced to receive vaccines, urging authorities to raise awareness and encourage vaccination among those who have not yet been immunized.

He made the remarks on Thursday morning while addressing a coordination meeting held at the Divisional Commissioner’s Conference Hall, organized by RCC for the ‘National Typhoid Vaccination Campaign-2025’.

“Rajshahi Division is currently leading among the eight divisions of the country in vaccine administration. This achievement reflects the collective efforts of all stakeholders,” he said. He also instructed the Secondary and Primary Education Departments to intensify monitoring to ensure that students who missed vaccination at the school level are included in the ongoing program.

Dr. F.A.M. Anjuman Ara Begum, Chief Health Officer of RCC, reported that from October 12 to October 30, vaccination drives were conducted at 621 schools in Rajshahi City, targeting 98,255 children. Out of this, 94,110 children received the vaccine, achieving a coverage rate of 95.78 percent.

She further stated that community-level vaccination commenced on November 1, and by November 4, 19.25 percent more children had been vaccinated than initially targeted.

The coordination meeting was attended by the District Commissioner of Rajshahi, the Director of the Divisional Health Office, representatives from UNICEF and the World Health Organization, as well as officials from the District and Primary Education Offices and other relevant departments.

Officials reiterated the importance of continuing public awareness initiatives to achieve 100 percent vaccination coverage in the division.

END/MRA/SMA/