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 immunization initiative following a measles outbreak linked to more than 100 suspected deaths, primarily among children, marking what could be the deadliest surge of the disease in recent memory. The campaign began on Sunday, aiming to address a spike in cases that has totaled over 7,500 since March 15, as per health ministry records. Of these, more than 900 have been confirmed, a stark contrast to just 125 cases reported in the entire year of 2025, according to local media.
Routine measles vaccinations are standard in Bangladesh, administered to infants as young as nine months. However, health officials noted that approximately one-third of those infected in the current outbreak fall into this age group, raising alarms about the vulnerability of unvaccinated young children. “Vaccines are foundational to child survival,” stated Rana Flowers, Unicef’s representative in Bangladesh, emphasizing the risk posed by the outbreak to thousands of children, especially the youngest.
Bangladesh typically holds targeted measles campaigns every four years. Yet, these efforts have stalled since 2020, initially due to the pandemic and later because of political instability. The nation faced upheaval in 2024 when anti-government protests ousted long-standing leader Sheikh Hasina. An interim administration took over, and a new government was only elected in February. A planned April campaign was delayed, with officials citing procurement challenges as a key barrier, as reported by the Daily Star.
Global Measles Trends and Challenges
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a resurgence in measles cases worldwide, highlighting that 2024 and 2025 saw the highest number of outbreaks in over two decades. Globally, measles claimed an estimated 95,000 lives in 2024, mostly children under five, according to the Lancet. While global cases and fatalities have dropped significantly since 2000—falling from 38 million to 11 million—the disease remains a threat as vaccination rates decline.
Bangladesh’s recent campaign targets over 1.2 million children aged six months to five years, focusing on those who missed routine shots and are at higher risk for complications. The effort also prioritizes densely populated areas like Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar, where Rohingya refugee camps face overcrowding. Beyond vaccinations, health authorities are distributing infographics to educate communities on recognizing and preventing measles, a highly contagious airborne illness that can lead to severe complications and death.
“Measles resurgences are typically the result of these accumulated gaps rather than a single factor,” said Unicef in a statement, noting that while Bangladesh has a strong history of high immunization coverage, even minor disruptions can erode protection over time.
