Bangladesh has initiated an emergency measles vaccination campaign after a fast-spreading outbreak has killed over 100 people, mostly children, and infected more than 7,500 individuals since March 15. The outbreak represents the most lethal wave of the disease in recent Bangladeshi history.
“Vaccines are foundational to child survival,” said Rana Flowers, Unicef representative in Bangladesh. “The current measles outbreak is putting thousands of children, especially the youngest and most vulnerable, at serious risk.”
According to the Bangladesh Health Ministry, over 900 cases have been confirmed, a sharp increase from just 125 cases recorded in 2025. The surge has highlighted gaps in the country’s immunisation programme.
Many of the infections are among infants under nine months old, who are not yet eligible for routine vaccination, raising concerns about heightened vulnerability.
“Infections of these young infants are especially alarming,” added Flowers.
Bangladesh typically conducts special measles vaccination campaigns every four years. However, the latest campaign, initially planned for April 2026, was delayed due to vaccine procurement issues and prior political upheavals, including the 2024 ousting of long-time leader Sheikh Hasina.
Shahriar Sajjad, deputy director of the Health Department, told BBC Bangla: “There have been no special measles vaccination campaigns since 2020. The procurement system under the former interim government caused shortages, including for measles vaccines.”
In response, the government, alongside Unicef and the World Health Organization (WHO), has launched a campaign targeting 1.2 million children aged six months to five years across 30 upazilas. Priority is being given to children who have missed routine immunisations, as well as those in Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar, home to crowded Rohingya refugee camps.
“We are focusing on children who are most vulnerable to severe illness and complications,” Unicef stated.
Health authorities are also disseminating infographics to help the public recognize measles symptoms, which include high fever, red and watery eyes, coughing, and sneezing.
Measles, a highly contagious airborne disease, remains a leading cause of death among children under five globally. The WHO reports that in 2024, approximately 95,000 people died of measles worldwide. High vaccination coverage at least 95% of the population is required to prevent outbreaks.
“Bangladesh has a strong history of high immunisation coverage, but even small disruptions can lead to the gradual accumulation of immunity gaps over time,” Unicef noted.
The outbreak in Bangladesh reflects a broader global resurgence of measles, with outbreaks reported in parts of Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. Health experts cite falling vaccination rates and vaccine scepticism as contributing factors.
“Even countries with historically strong immunisation systems are not immune to outbreaks when routine vaccination is interrupted,” WHO officials warned.
The emergency campaign in Bangladesh represents a critical effort to curb the current outbreak, protect vulnerable children, and prevent the disease from spreading further.
