Earlier drives in 30 upazilas and four city corporations now scaled up nationwide

It is unfortunate that parents are often driven to poverty simply to keep their children healthy and alive in Bangladesh, where citizens pay more than two-thirds of their total health expenditure out of their pockets.

In March alone, amid a sudden measles outbreak, some 229 patients died at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) awaiting ICU beds. Ninety-one of the deceased were children. Many died on waiting lists, never receiving the treatment they needed, and the numbers are still rising.

Around 12.20 lakh children aged six months to under five years expected to be vaccinated under this initiative

Since the measles outbreak began in late March, Rajshahi division has faced a severe health crisis, worsened by non‑functional intensive care facilities.

The measles vaccine is administered in two doses—one at nine months and the other at 15 months. When at least 95 percent of children in each district of the country receive both doses, transmission of the virus can be stopped.

Combat Bangladesh measles outbreaks by prioritizing EPI vaccines and identifying early fever or maculopapular rashes. Dr Syed Abu Sayeed emphasizes MR1 and MR2 doses to restore herd immunity, preventing severe pneumonia or paediatric encephalitis cases.

Sonia Akhter was trying to cool down her nine-month-old daughter, Tasnia, who seemed restless with measles and fever at the dedicated measles ward of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute in the capital.

Bangladesh is once again facing a public health threat that is both familiar and preventable. Since early January 2026, the country has seen a surge in measles cases, with thousands of suspected infections and a rising number of deaths.

Bangladesh was successful in controlling rubella in 2018 and was supposed to eliminate measles and rubella from the country this year, but now it is struggling to deal with a measles outbreak.

Years of vaccine gaps and stockpile failures left thousands of children vulnerable to infection, he tells parliament

Drive targets over 13.23 lakh children as suspected measles deaths reach 98 nationwide

The government today launches an emergency measles-rubella vaccination drive targeting over 13 lakh children, aged six months to under five years, in 30 upazilas of 18 districts, where the infection rate is relatively high.

Death toll rises to 38 this year as patient admissions continue to put pressure on paediatric wards

Ministers grapple with fuel crisis, measles, backlash over reforms

The government yesterday reported 94 suspected measles deaths, mostly among children, over the past 19 days, alongside 5,792 suspected cases nationwide, suggesting the outbreak is far more severe than earlier thought.

Designing better policies in times of crisis is not the challenge, but designing them for real behaviour is.

The ongoing measles outbreak in Bangladesh continues to raise public health concerns.

At least 56 of the 64 districts have reported measles cases as of March 28, officials said citing reports from both the government and the World Health Organisation -- indicating widespread national transmission of the infectious disease.

Govt must bolster vaccination drive to tackle measles outbreak