Bangladesh Launches Emergency Measles Vaccination Campaign as Outbreak Kills Over 110 Children
Nationwide drive targets 1.3 million children in high-risk areas after sharp rise in infections; government blames previous administration for vaccination gaps
DHAKA — April 6, 2026 — Bangladesh has launched an emergency nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign following a severe outbreak that has killed at least 113 children and infected thousands more over the past six weeks, health officials announced on Sunday, April 5.
The campaign, which began on April 5, aims to immunize more than 1.3 million children aged between six months and under five years across 30 sub-districts (upazilas) in 18 high-risk districts . According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the outbreak has affected 56 of Bangladesh’s 64 administrative districts, with the northwestern Rajshahi region hit hardest .
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Health officials report that more than 7,600 suspected measles cases have been identified nationwide since mid-March, with hundreds of new patients being admitted to hospitals daily . The DGHS confirmed that 10 of the total 113 suspected measles-related deaths occurred in the 24 hours ending at 8 a.m. on April 5, underscoring the rapid spread of the disease .
Children Under Five Most Vulnerable
According to the Ministry of Health, 82 percent of suspected measles patients are children under the age of five, making this age group the primary focus of the emergency vaccination drive . The campaign is being carried out under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), with healthcare workers deployed across targeted regions to reach vulnerable populations, particularly in underserved areas where healthcare access remains limited .
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In Cox’s Bazar, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed inaugurated a separate vaccination initiative via video conference on April 5, targeting 120,000 children in the high-risk Ramu and Maheshkhali sub-districts . The event was attended by representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, who are providing technical support for the campaign .
“UNICEF is deeply concerned about the sharp rise in measles cases across Bangladesh, putting thousands of children, especially the youngest and most vulnerable, at serious risk,” said Rana Flowers, UNICEF’s representative to Bangladesh . “This resurgence highlights critical immunity gaps,” she added.
Phased Rollout Across the Country
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain announced a phased approach to the vaccination drive. The initial phase, which began April 5, covers 30 upazilas across 18 districts identified as high-risk areas based on data from the World Bank, WHO and UNICEF .
From April 12, the campaign will expand to Dhaka’s north and south city corporations, as well as Mymensingh and Barishal districts . A nationwide rollout across all remaining districts and upazilas is scheduled to begin May 3, the minister said .
“From the 3rd of May, we will continue this vaccination programme simultaneously in all the remaining districts and upazilas of the country,” Husain told reporters at the inauguration of the programme at Nawabganj Upazila Health Complex in Dhaka .
Children who are healthy will receive both the measles vaccine and Vitamin A capsules, while ill children will only receive Vitamin A supplements at this stage, the minister added .
Government Blames Previous Administration for Vaccine Gap
The outbreak has sparked political recriminations, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government blaming the previous interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus for failing to provide vaccines on time .
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed accused the interim government of negligence, stating that the first measles case was detected in Rohingya camps on January 4 when the interim government was still in power, but effective measures were not taken in time .
Health officials noted that Bangladesh’s vaccination coverage against measles had exceeded 96 percent from 2016 to 2024, but rates experienced a significant decline in 2024 and 2025 when the interim government ran the country .
“You can call it failure or negligence of the past interim government in carrying out the campaign to prevent measles or rubella,” Ahmed said .
International Support and Health Infrastructure Response
The WHO has stated that the outbreak will likely continue to spread in the coming days but should be curtailed soon after the vaccination campaign is fully rolled out . Hospitals in several high-burden regions are already overcrowded and operating with limited capacity, raising concerns about further spread .
In Cox’s Bazar, the measles ward at Sadar Hospital has been expanded from 8 to 20 beds with support from UNICEF, an initiative that has received nationwide appreciation . The government has also implemented active case searches in affected areas, administration of Vitamin A capsules to infected children, and strengthened healthcare services at both upazila and district levels .
“This campaign will help prevent further tragic loss of young lives,” said Dr. Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, WHO’s representative to Bangladesh .
Public Health Emergency Response
Public health experts warn that measles—one of the most contagious viral diseases—can spread rapidly in communities with low immunization coverage, particularly among young children. The disease can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis and remains a leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths globally .
Dr. ANM Nuruzzaman, a public health specialist, told Anadolu Ajansı that the vaccination drive is critical to preventing further loss of life, especially in densely populated and underserved areas .
The government has urged parents and guardians to bring their children to designated vaccination centers, emphasizing that timely immunization is the most effective way to stop the outbreak . Officials said the emergency vaccination drive will complement routine immunization efforts as authorities work to contain the spread of the disease across the country .
SOURCES / INPUTS
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS): Salahuddin launches emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign in Cox’s Bazar
bdnews24.com: Special nationwide vaccine drive from May 3, says health minister
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