Emergency Vaccination Drive Starts from May 3rd for Children Amid Rising Measles Cases
With support from UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Bangladesh government has launched an emergency vaccination program. The campaign began on Sunday, 5 April, initially targeting more than 1.2 million children aged 6 months to 5 years in 30 Upazilas across 18 districts at high risk of infection. Subsequently, the program will be expanded in phases to other city corporations and remaining districts nationwide.
Sardar Md. Shahawat Hossain, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, stated, “In response to the current measles outbreak in the country, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken swift and effective measures. I sincerely thank UNICEF Representative Ms. Rana Flowers for providing essential technical support and ensuring rapid vaccine supply to successfully implement such a large-scale program. At the same time, on behalf of the Ministry, I express our gratitude to Gavi and the World Health Organization.”
The emergency vaccination campaign prioritizes children who have not received regular immunizations and those at risk of severe illness and complications. Special efforts will focus on densely populated and high-risk areas in Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar to vaccinate the maximum number of children.
Authorities emphasize that without rapid vaccination and strong action against the outbreak, infection rates could rise, increasing pressure on the healthcare sector and posing serious risks to child health. This emergency program complements routine immunization efforts and forms part of a broader strategy to achieve vaccination targets, strengthen the health system, and build future outbreak resilience.
Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh, said, “Vaccination is a fundamental component of children’s survival. UNICEF is deeply concerned as the increase in measles infection across Bangladesh places thousands of children—especially young and vulnerable ones—at serious risk. This resurgence highlights immunity gaps, particularly among children who have received zero or partial doses. The risk to children under nine months, who are not yet eligible for routine immunization, is also especially concerning.”
She added, “We express our deepest sympathy to families who have lost loved ones and are supporting the Bangladesh government in this emergency vaccination effort. Coordinated action can control the resurgence, ensure every child is vaccinated, address immunity gaps, and protect children from this preventable disease. UNICEF is working closely with the government and partners to achieve this.”
Dr. Ahmed Jamshid Mohamed, WHO Representative in Bangladesh, said, “WHO commends the Bangladesh government for taking timely and targeted action. This vaccination initiative, covering children aged 6 to 59 months in high-risk areas, will help prevent further child deaths and address immunity gaps contributing to this outbreak. Measles-rubella vaccines are safe, effective, and have protected millions of children worldwide—this remains our most powerful tool against a rapidly spreading disease.”
He further urged all parents and caregivers to bring their children to nearby vaccination centers and emphasized WHO’s commitment to supporting the government and partners in protecting every child’s health across Bangladesh.
Dirk Gehl, Senior Country Manager for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, said, “This outbreak highlights that measles can quickly become deadly if immunity gaps exist. Gavi is supporting the Ministry of Health, WHO, and UNICEF to implement the measles-rubella vaccination program in Bangladesh. It is now critical that we work together effectively to control the current situation.”
UNICEF noted that Bangladesh has a successful history of high-rate child immunization. However, even minor disruptions over time can lead to significant immunity gaps. The current measles outbreak is not due to a single cause but results from the cumulative effect of these gaps. As the primary vaccine procurer, UNICEF is working closely with the government to ensure timely, quality vaccines and to accelerate supply in response to rising demand.
DBTech/MAR/EK/OR
