Emergency jabs after 100 children die of suspected measles in a month in Bangladesh
Bangladesh Launches Urgent Vaccination Drive Amid Measles Outbreak
Following a rapid spread of measles, Bangladesh has initiated an emergency immunization effort after over 100 fatalities, primarily among children, were linked to the disease in a single month. This marks the country’s most severe measles wave in recent memory, according to local media. The campaign began on Sunday, addressing a surge of suspected cases reported since March 15, with more than 7,500 confirmed infections as of now.
Despite longstanding efforts to vaccinate children against measles, the recent outbreak has revealed weaknesses in the national program. “Vaccines are essential for child survival,” said Rana Flowers, Unicef’s representative in Bangladesh, highlighting the current crisis as a threat to thousands of young lives. Infants under nine months, who are not yet eligible for routine shots, have been disproportionately affected, she noted.
“The disease has highlighted accumulated gaps in immunization coverage, rather than a single cause,” Unicef added in its statement, emphasizing that even minor disruptions can weaken protection over time.
Bangladesh’s regular measles vaccinations target children from nine months onward, but the recent surge saw nearly one-third of cases in those younger than that age. The absence of special campaigns since 2020—initially disrupted by the pandemic, then by political instability—has compounded the problem. Shahriar Sajjad, Health Department deputy director, explained that a planned April 2024 campaign failed due to vaccine shortages.
Political unrest in 2024, which saw mass protests oust long-time leader Sheikh Hasina, led to a government transition. An interim administration took charge until February 2025, when a new government was elected. The delay in vaccination efforts has raised questions about the impact of the former system’s procurement challenges, as reported by the Daily Star.
Targeting High-Risk Areas
The emergency campaign will focus on 30 upazilas, or sub-districts, prioritizing children aged six months to five years. Unicef stated that efforts will concentrate on those who missed routine doses and are most susceptible to complications. Dhaka, the capital, and Cox’s Bazar, a region with Rohingya refugee camps, are highlighted as key areas.
Complementing the vaccination push, health officials are distributing infographics to educate communities on measles prevention. The disease, which spreads through airborne transmission, can lead to severe health consequences. Global data from the WHO notes that 95,000 measles-related deaths occurred in 2024, mostly in children under five.
While measles cases and fatalities worldwide have declined sharply over the past two decades—falling from 38 million in 2000 to 11 million in 2024—the organization warns of a resurgence as vaccination rates drop. Medical journal The Lancet reported that 2024 and 2025 saw the highest measles outbreaks in more than 20 years, particularly in parts of Asia and Africa.