Home
+
Published : 05 Apr 2026, 02:47 PM
A special vaccination programme is being launched across the country from May 3 amid the measles outbreak in Bangladesh, says Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain.
He also said a drive will be launched at two high-risk city corporations and two districts from Apr 12.
Speaking at the inauguration of a measles vaccination programme at the Nawabganj Upazila Health Complex in Dhaka on Sunday, the health minister said: "From the 3rd of May, i.e. from the third of next month, God willing, we will continue this vaccination programme simultaneously in all the remaining districts and Upazilas of the country."
"Initially, we have started activities in 30 Upazilas of 18 districts where measles has been reported and have been identified as the most vulnerable, as per the World Bank, World Health Organization and UNICEF. From the 12th of April, we will expand coverage to Dhaka, the south and north city corporations, as well as the Mymensingh and Barishal districts."
A media statement from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare later announced that measles vaccinations will be administered across four city corporations starting Apr 12, and in all remaining districts and Upazilas nationwide from May 3.
Urging the local party leaders to stay vigilant in the villages, the health minister in his speech said: “If any child is infected with measles, you must immediately persuade the parents to send them to the nearest hospital. We must ensure that not a single child dies and no mother loses her child."
The minister also claimed that the measles outbreak was a result of "mismanagement" by previous governments.
Explaining the decision to vaccinate children up to five years of age, he said: "According to WHO data, 82 percent of those currently infected are under the age of five. Therefore, the group aged 6 months to 59 months is being prioritised. Others will be vaccinated in phases later."
The inauguration ceremony was attended by UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh Rana Flowers, WHO Representative to Bangladesh Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, and the Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Pravath Chandra Biswas.
