PM’s adviser hopes the probe into measles crisis will be credible

Secure adequate supplies of testing kits, explore alternative procurement channels.

Govt must open an inquiry to establish individual responsibility.

Amid public anger over child deaths, key health adviser to interim govt says outbreaks usually result from several long-term factors and that vaccine procurement approvals were given on time

The interim government’s ineptitude and apathy that eventually led to a measles outbreak has so far left 294 children dead, say experts and officials.

The shift to open tender triggered delays, stalled immunisation and left Bangladesh facing a widening measles crisis, it says

Bangladesh’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) has long been one of the country’s most celebrated public health successes.

A nationwide emergency measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign was launched yesterday amid efforts to curb a sharp rise in measles cases and deaths.

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

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

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.

The National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) yesterday recommended lowering the age for receiving the measles vaccine to six months, as one-third of the children recently infected with measles are under nine months, the current age for vaccination.