Bangladesh conducts emergency measles vaccinations as outbreak kills more than 100 children

Bangladesh is conducting emergency measles vaccinations following an outbreak that has killed over 100 children. The outbreak is occurring countrywide, as of Monday, April 6, 2026. The emergency vaccinations are a response to the increasing number of cases and fatalities, particularly among children. Hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh are treating children suffering from measles amid the outbreak. The specific reasons for the outbreak and the scope of the vaccination efforts were not detailed in this brief report.

Bangladesh is experiencing a severe measles outbreak, resulting in over 100 child deaths and more than 900 confirmed cases since March. The government, in partnership with the UN, has launched an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign targeting children aged six months to five years, prioritizing high-risk districts. This resurgence is attributed to falling vaccination rates, program gaps in vulnerable areas, and vaccine shortages, exacerbated by political turmoil in recent years. A concerning number of affected children are under nine months old, the typical age for vaccination, highlighting critical immunity gaps. The outbreak reflects a global trend of rising measles cases due to decreased immunization coverage, with similar outbreaks reported in the UK and the US.

Bangladesh has initiated an emergency vaccination campaign targeting over one million children aged six months to five years in response to a rapidly spreading measles outbreak. The campaign, supported by UNICEF, WHO, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is prioritizing children in 18 high-risk districts who have missed routine immunizations. Health ministry data indicates 17 confirmed measles deaths, 113 suspected deaths, and over 7,500 suspected infections nationwide. The resurgence of measles has raised concerns about immunity gaps, particularly among the youngest and most vulnerable children. The goal of the campaign is to curb the outbreak and prevent further severe complications.

Bangladesh has launched an emergency vaccination campaign following a measles outbreak that has killed over 100 people, primarily children, since March 15th. Health ministry data indicates over 7,500 suspected cases, with over 900 confirmed, a significant increase from the 125 cases recorded in all of 2023. The outbreak has exposed gaps in Bangladesh's vaccination program, as many infected children were under nine months old and ineligible for routine vaccinations. Special measles vaccination campaigns, typically held every four years, have been delayed since 2020 due to COVID-19 and political factors, contributing to the resurgence. Vaccine procurement issues and shortages have also been cited as contributing factors to the outbreak.

A suspected measles outbreak in Bangladesh has killed at least 98 children in the past three weeks, according to official data. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reports 6,476 suspected cases among children aged six months to five years. The government is responding by increasing vaccination efforts in the most affected areas and assessing the crisis's scale. A shortage of vaccines is cited as a potential contributing factor to the outbreak. While confirmed cases are lower, experts believe the actual numbers are underreported due to lack of testing. Measles is a highly contagious disease, especially dangerous for children, and can lead to serious complications.