Dhaka: Bangladesh has rolled out an emergency vaccination campaign targeting more than one million children as a fast-spreading measles outbreak continues to impact the country.
According to figures released by the health ministry, the outbreak has so far resulted in 17 confirmed deaths, with an additional 113 suspected fatalities and more than 7,500 suspected cases reported nationwide.
The campaign is being led by the health ministry in collaboration with UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. It has been launched across 18 high-risk districts, according to a joint press release.
Children aged between six months and five years are being prioritised, particularly those who missed routine immunisations and are at the highest risk of developing severe complications from measles.
Rana Flowers, UNICEF’s representative in Bangladesh, expressed deep concern over the sharp rise in cases, warning that thousands of children, especially the youngest and most vulnerable, are at serious risk. Flowers noted that the resurgence underscores critical immunity gaps within the population.
Risk of spreading
Hospitals in several high-burden areas are already overcrowded and operating with limited capacity, raising concerns about the potential for further spread of the disease.
The World Health Organization stated that the outbreak has now spread to 56 out of the country’s 64 districts and is expected to continue expanding in the coming days. However, it is likely to be brought under control once the vaccination campaign is fully implemented.
Dr. Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, the WHO’s representative in Bangladesh, said that the campaign would play a crucial role in preventing further tragic loss of young lives.
Officials added that the emergency vaccination effort is designed to complement routine immunisation programmes as authorities intensify efforts to contain the outbreak, reduce transmission and safeguard children across the country.
The emergency vaccination campaign is expected to play a critical role in curbing the outbreak, protecting vulnerable children and strengthening Bangladesh’s overall public health response.
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