Dhaka: The government of Bangladesh, with support from UNICEF, WHO, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has launched an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign targeting more than 1.2 million children aged 6 months to 5 years across 30 upazilas in 18 high-risk districts.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the campaign will be expanded in phases, reaching additional districts and City Corporation areas nationwide. Starting April 12, the emergency efforts will extend to four City Corporations, with a nationwide rollout planned from May 3. WHO has urged all parents and caregivers to bring their children to the nearest vaccination center and remains committed to supporting the government and partners in safeguarding the health of children across Bangladesh. UNICEF and WHO, along with partners, continue to advocate for sustained investment in immunization and child health services to ensure comprehensive protection for all children in Bangladesh.
In response to the current measles outbreak in the country, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain stated that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has enacted swift and effective measures. The Minister expressed gratitude to UNICEF Representative Rana Flowers for providing necessary technical support and ensuring a rapid vaccine supply for the campaign’s successful implementation. He also extended his appreciation to Gavi and WHO for their support.
The campaign prioritizes children who have missed routine immunization and are most vulnerable to severe illness and complications. Efforts are being intensified in Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar to ensure high coverage in densely populated and high-risk settings. Failure to rapidly scale up vaccination and response measures could lead to continued transmission, further straining health services and increasing the risk of severe health outcomes among children.
This campaign complements ongoing routine immunization efforts and is part of a broader strategy to restore immunization coverage, strengthen health systems, and build resilience against future resurgences. UNICEF has expressed deep concern over the sharp rise in measles cases across Bangladesh and is working closely with the government and partners to close immunity gaps and protect children from this preventable disease. UNICEF, with donor support, is aiding vaccine procurement and delivery, strengthening cold chain systems, and leading risk communication and community engagement efforts.
WHO commends the Bangladesh government’s decisive and timely action, emphasizing the importance of targeting children aged 6 to 59 months in high-risk areas to prevent further tragic loss of young lives. The measles-rubella vaccine is highlighted as a safe and effective defense against the fast-spreading disease. Gavi’s Senior Country Manager for Bangladesh, Dirk Gehl, underscored the urgency of collaborative efforts to control the current outbreak.
Bangladesh’s history of high immunization coverage underscores the need for vigilance to prevent immunity gaps. UNICEF is collaborating with the government to ensure timely access to quality-assured vaccines and expedite supply in response to increased demand. Health facilities in high-burden areas face challenges such as overcrowding and limited isolation capacity, underscoring the need for rapid vaccination, especially in densely populated regions like Cox’s Bazar.
Since 2007, Gavi has invested over US$2.2 billion in measles and measles-rubella immunization, supporting routine programs, preventive campaigns, and outbreak responses in 57 lower-income countries. Gavi’s future plans include securing vaccine supply, providing predictable funding for outbreak response, and supporting country-led efforts to close immunity gaps at scale. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is a public-private partnership that helps vaccinate over half of the world’s children against deadly diseases, uniting developing countries, donor governments, WHO, UNICEF, and other partners.