Emergency jabs after 100 children die of suspected measles in a month in Bangladesh
Bangladesh Launches Urgent Vaccination Drive Following Measles Outbreak Claims 100 Lives in a Month
Bangladesh has initiated an emergency vaccination campaign to combat a measles outbreak that has claimed over 100 lives in a single month, primarily children. This marks the country’s deadliest wave of the disease in recent years. The initiative, launched on Sunday, follows a surge in suspected cases, with more than 7,500 reported since March 15, according to health ministry records.
Measles Outbreak Context
Over 900 confirmed cases have been identified, a stark rise from the 125 recorded in the entire year of 2025. The recent spike highlights vulnerabilities in Bangladesh’s vaccination program, which has historically been robust. However, disruptions in routine immunization have left gaps, raising alarms among health officials.
“Vaccines are foundational to child survival,” said 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.”
Routine measles vaccines are administered to infants as young as nine months, but a health official noted that approximately one-third of those affected in the outbreak were younger than that. These early cases, not yet eligible for regular immunization, are particularly concerning. “The infections among these infants are especially alarming,” Flowers added.
Emergency Campaign Details
Alongside international partners like Unicef and the World Health Organization, Bangladesh is now targeting 1.2 million children aged six months to five years in 30 upazilas. The campaign focuses on those who missed routine shots and are at higher risk of severe illness. Priority areas include Dhaka, the capital, and Cox’s Bazar, which hosts crowded Rohingya refugee camps.
Health authorities also plan to distribute infographics educating the public on measles recognition and prevention. The disease, highly contagious and airborne, can lead to fatal complications. In 2024, an estimated 95,000 global deaths were linked to measles, most among children under five, per WHO data.
Global Measles Trends
Despite a significant decline in measles cases worldwide—from 38 million in 2000 to 11 million in 2024—the WHO has warned of recent surges. Medical journal *The Lancet* reports that 2024 and 2025 saw the highest number of outbreaks in over two decades, with cases rising in several Asian and African nations.
Sajjad, deputy director of Bangladesh’s Health Department, cited procurement challenges as a key factor in vaccine shortages, including for measles. While special campaigns were planned every four years, none were held since 2020 due to the pandemic and political instability. The 2024 upheaval, which ousted long-time leader Sheikh Hasina, delayed the April 2025 campaign. An interim government managed the transition, and a new administration was elected in February.
Unicef emphasized that measles resurgences often stem from cumulative immunity gaps, not isolated causes. “Bangladesh has a strong immunization history, but even minor disruptions can erode progress over time,” the organization stated in its report.
