Bangladesh has launched an emergency vaccination campaign against measles following a dangerous outbreak suspected to have caused over 100 deaths, mostly children. Health authorities warn this could be one of the most severe waves in recent years in the country.
The national vaccination campaign began on Sunday, as the number of suspected cases has exceeded 7,500 since mid-March. Of these, more than 900 have been confirmed, marking a significant increase compared to 2025, when only 125 cases were recorded throughout the entire year.
Experts say the situation is concerning, especially because a large proportion of those infected are infants under nine months old, who are not yet included in the routine vaccination schedule. This makes them particularly vulnerable to the disease.
According to UNICEF, the current outbreak is seriously endangering the lives of thousands of children, especially the youngest and most vulnerable. The organization emphasizes that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent the spread and fatal consequences of measles.
Although the country has a robust vaccination program, the suspension of special campaigns since 2020 has created gaps in population protection. Initially, these suspensions were caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and later by political developments in the country.
Health authorities are calling for increased awareness and the inclusion of all children in vaccination efforts, in an attempt to curb the further spread of the disease.