Emergency Vaccination Drive Launched in Bangladesh Amid Measles Surge
Bangladesh has initiated a urgent vaccination campaign following a rapid spread of measles, which is suspected to have caused over 100 fatalities in a single month. This marks the most severe outbreak of the disease in the nation’s recent history, with health ministry data revealing more than 7,500 suspected cases since March 15. Over 900 of these cases have been confirmed, a stark rise compared to the 125 measles infections recorded throughout 2025, as reported by local media.
Program Gaps Exposed by Outbreak
While Bangladesh has consistently vaccinated children against measles, the current crisis highlights vulnerabilities in its immunization system. Rana Flowers, Unicef’s representative in the country, stated in a Sunday statement that the outbreak is “posing serious risks to thousands of children, particularly the youngest and most vulnerable.” Routine vaccines are administered to infants as early as nine months, yet approximately one-third of those infected in the recent wave were under this age, according to Shahriar Sajjad, deputy director of the Health Department.
“Vaccines are foundational to child survival,” said Flowers. “The current measles outbreak is putting thousands of children at serious risk.”
The emergency campaign, launched on Sunday, aims to address these gaps. It will cover 30 upazilas—sub-districts in Bangladesh—and target over 1.2 million children aged six months to five years. Priority will be given to children who missed routine immunizations, as emphasized by Unicef. The initiative also focuses on Dhaka, the densely populated capital, and Cox’s Bazar, where Rohingya refugee camps create crowded living conditions.
Political and Logistical Challenges
Bangladesh’s vaccination efforts have faced setbacks. Special measles campaigns, held every four years, were postponed since 2020, initially due to the pandemic and later because of “political situation,” Sajjad explained to BBC Bangla. The country experienced significant political unrest in 2024, leading to the ousting of long-time leader Sheikh Hasina. An interim government took control before a new administration was elected in February. A planned April campaign did not materialize, with procurement issues cited as a cause for vaccine shortages, as noted by the Daily Star.
Global Measles Trends
Measles remains a global health concern, with 95,000 estimated deaths in 2024—primarily among children under five—according to the World Health Organization. The disease, a contagious airborne illness, can lead to severe complications and fatalities. Despite a sharp decline in cases worldwide, from 38 million in 2000 to 11 million in 2024, the Lancet reports that measles outbreaks have reached their highest levels in over two decades. This has been attributed to dropping vaccination rates, with the WHO warning that 95% of the population must be immunized to prevent transmission.
Health officials are also distributing infographics to educate communities on recognizing and preventing measles. The campaign underscores the importance of maintaining high immunization coverage, as even small disruptions can accumulate over time, leading to outbreaks like the one currently affecting Bangladesh.
