Published : 20 Sep 2026, 08:18 PM
Updated : 20 Sep 2026, 08:18 PM
Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain has said nearly all children now falling ill with measles in Bangladesh have not received the vaccine.
A new nationwide special vaccination drive will begin on Sept 26 to bring these children under immunisation.
Called “Intensified MR Catch-up Vaccination”, the programme will continue until Oct 31.
Speaking at the Secretariat on Sunday, the minister said about 4.3 million doses of measles-rubella (MR) vaccine arrived on Sept 10 through government arrangements with UNICEF support.
Bangladesh now has 5.8 million doses in stock.
“Under this programme, children aged six months to under five who missed the ongoing measles-rubella campaign will be identified and vaccinated. New children who reach six months and become eligible for vaccination during this period will also be included,” he said.
The minister said malnutrition and other factors were causing serious complications, including pneumonia, among measles patients. Antibodies generally take three to four weeks to develop after vaccination.
A special nationwide measles vaccination drive in April recorded 109.4 percent coverage, according to the Directorate General of Health Services. Yet the outbreak did not ease.
On dengue, Sakhawat said the government had “all necessary preparations” and no shortage of saline. Mobile hospitals and the army would also be kept ready for emergencies.
“Most dengue treatment can be provided at Upazila level. But many patients go directly to tertiary hospitals, creating additional pressure,” he said.
