Bangladesh starts mass vaccination to fight measles outbreak
Bangladesh starts mass vaccination to fight measles outbreak
Updated at: September 27, 2026 at 02:30 AM
Bangladesh is currently grappling with its most severe measles outbreak in decades.
Since mid-March 2026, the country has recorded nearly 187,000 suspected cases and over 1,000 deaths, marking it as the largest outbreak globally according to the U.S.
Children under five are the most vulnerable, representing 80% of infections, with infants under nine months particularly at risk.
Experts attribute this crisis to "immunity gaps" caused by disruptions to routine immunization programs during 2024 and 2025, compounded by political instability and a shift in focus toward other health emergencies.
The virus has spread from initial hotspots to all 64 districts.
In response, the government launched an emergency vaccination campaign on September 26, 2026, targeting 3.4 million unvaccinated children.
Health officials have also lowered the minimum vaccination age to six months to protect infants sooner.
While authorities have vaccinated nearly 20 million children since April, reaching 95% coverage remains the essential goal to stop transmission.
