Emergency jabs after 100 children die of suspected measles in a month in Bangladesh
Emergency Vaccination Drive After Measles Outbreak Claims Over 100 Lives in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has initiated an urgent vaccination campaign following a measles outbreak that has resulted in more than 100 suspected deaths, predominantly among children. This may mark the country’s deadliest measles wave in recent years. The effort began on Sunday, as health ministry records show over 7,500 cases reported since March 15, with over 900 confirmed. This represents a dramatic surge compared to 2025, when just 125 measles cases were recorded nationwide, according to local media.
“Vaccines are foundational to child survival,” stated Rana Flowers, Unicef’s representative in Bangladesh. “The current measles outbreak is putting thousands of children, especially the youngest and most vulnerable, at serious risk.”
Bangladesh’s routine measles immunization program typically vaccinates infants as early as nine months. However, data from the Health Department reveals that nearly a third of those infected in the recent outbreak were younger than that. “These young infants, not yet eligible for regular shots, are particularly alarming,” added Flowers.
The nation’s special measles campaigns, held every four years, have faltered. Since 2020, no such drives have occurred, initially due to the pandemic, then because of “political situation,” said Shahriar Sajjad, deputy director of the Health Department. Political turmoil in 2024, which saw anti-government protests remove Sheikh Hasina from power, delayed preparations. An interim government took control until February 2025, when a new administration was elected. A planned April campaign never materialized.
Vaccine shortages, including for measles, have been cited as a key barrier. A health official attributed the scarcity to procurement challenges, per the Daily Star. While the former interim government introduced a new system, critics argue the delay has exacerbated immunization gaps. Unicef noted that measles resurgences “are typically the result of these accumulated gaps rather than a single factor.”
Alongside the campaign, health authorities are distributing educational materials to help identify and prevent measles. The disease, which spreads through airborne transmission, can cause severe complications and fatalities. The WHO reports that around 95,000 global deaths were linked to measles in 2024, mostly affecting children under five.
Over the last two decades, measles cases and deaths have declined significantly. In 2024, there were 11 million reported cases worldwide—a drop from 38 million in 2000. However, the WHO warns of a recent uptick in outbreaks, with 2024 and 2025 marking the highest number in over 20 years. The resurgence highlights the importance of maintaining vaccination rates, as 95% coverage is needed to halt the disease’s spread.
