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Bangladesh Launches Nationwide Measles Vaccination Campaign
DHAKA: Bangladesh has launched a month-long nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign targeting around 3.4 million children who missed previous immunisation efforts amid a major measles outbreak.
The campaign began on Saturday and focuses on children aged 6 months to 59 months, with authorities lowering the minimum vaccination age from the usual nine months in response to the outbreak.
Major Measles Outbreak
The outbreak has placed additional pressure on Bangladesh’s healthcare system, which is also dealing with a seasonal increase in dengue infections.
According to the data cited by health authorities, Bangladesh has recorded 1,087 confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths, including 101 laboratory-confirmed fatalities.
Since March 15, authorities have reported nearly 187,000 suspected cases and 21,099 confirmed infections, while more than 165,000 people have been hospitalised.
Immunisation Gaps Fuel Transmission
Health experts have linked the outbreak to disruptions in routine childhood immunisation programmes during 2024 and 2025.
Political instability, changes in vaccine procurement and delays or cancellations of vaccination campaigns contributed to gaps in immunisation coverage, leaving some children vulnerable to infection.
Infants below nine months were particularly vulnerable because they are normally too young to receive routine measles vaccination.
Millions Already Vaccinated
Since April, Bangladesh has vaccinated nearly 20 million children through emergency and follow-up vaccination campaigns.
However, health experts say significant immunity gaps remain, with some eligible children still missing vaccination.
Campaign Aims to Close Immunity Gaps
Authorities say the latest campaign is intended to reach children who were missed during earlier vaccination drives.
Health officials hope the effort will help reduce severe illness and deaths, close immunity gaps and interrupt chains of measles transmission across the country.
Experts have stressed that reaching every eligible child will be important to bringing the current outbreak under control and reducing the risk of future outbreaks
