Bangladesh Launches Emergency Vaccination Amid Measles Outbreak

The government of Bangladesh launched an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign on April 5, 2026, to combat a surge in infections and rising mortality rates among children. The initiative specifically targets areas where infection rates are relatively high to quickly control the spread of the disease.

The emergency drive targets over 1.3 million children, specifically those aged six months to under five years. This phase of the campaign is concentrated in 30 upazilas across 18 districts.

Scope and Implementation of the Emergency Drive

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain inaugurated the campaign at the Nawabganj Upazila Health Complex around 11:00 am on April 5, 2026. The health ministry confirmed that all necessary logistics and vaccine supplies had been delivered to the field level prior to the launch.

The 30 upazilas included in this emergency phase are:

• Barguna Sadar
• Ishwardi, Atgharia, Bera, and Sadar in Pabna
• Mehendiganj and Bakerganj in Barishal
• Haimchar and Sadar in Chandpur
• Maheshkhali and Ramu in Cox’s Bazar
• Nawabganj in Dhaka
• Gazipur Sadar
• Jashore Sadar
• Nalchity in Jhalakathi
• Madaripur Sadar
• Louhajang, Sreenagar, and Sadar in Munshiganj
• Trishal, Phulpur, and Sadar in Mymensingh
• Natore Sadar
• Atpara in Netrakona
• Porsha in Naogaon
• Shibganj, Bholahat, and Sadar in Chapainawabganj
• Godagari in Rajshahi
• Zajira in Shariatpur

Shahriar Sajjad, the deputy director of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), stated that vaccination began in the morning of April 5 and noted that so far everything is going well.

Public Health Crisis and Mortality Data

The emergency measures were triggered by a significant increase in measles cases and related deaths. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the total death toll from suspected measles cases reached 98 nationwide.

The urgency of the drive is underscored by data showing that four additional deaths from suspected measles were recorded in the 24-hour period ending at 8:00 am on April 4, 2026.

Reports indicate severe pressure on medical infrastructure. At the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Mohakhali, the facility became so overcrowded during the outbreak that patients were accommodated on floors, and balconies.

Specific regional outbreaks have also been noted, including a growing outbreak in the Cox’s Bazar district, where at least five children died while undergoing treatment.

Future Vaccination Strategy

The current emergency campaign was designed based on recommendations from experts to ensure the protection of children at risk and to rapidly stabilize the infection rate.

Following the completion of this targeted emergency phase, the government plans to expand the effort. Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain announced that a nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign is scheduled to begin on May 3, 2026. This subsequent phase will cover all remaining districts across Bangladesh.