Measles Vaccine Gap of 8 Years in Bangladesh, Cases Surge

The government of Bangladesh has allocated Tk 604 crore to address a growing outbreak of Measles, Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bakul said on Sunday.

He shared the information while speaking to reporters at the inauguration of an international pharmaceutical industry fair held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center.

The minister noted that measles cases have increased significantly in recent months. “The last measles vaccination campaign took place eight years ago, and no government has conducted one since then,” he said. “We have allocated Tk 604 crore, and the purchase committee has approved the plan. Vaccination activities will begin as soon as the vaccines are procured.”

According to the Directorate General of Health Services, children typically receive the first dose of the measles vaccine at nine months of age and a second dose at 15 months. Special campaigns also target children aged between nine months and 10 years.

Although vaccination efforts had previously reduced measles cases, infections have risen again this year. The first case was detected on January 4 in Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar, and an alert was issued on January 10. Around the same time, cases began increasing in slum areas of Dhaka.

At the Infectious Disease Hospital in Dhaka, the number of patients has exceeded available beds, with many of those affected being children.

The health minister said hospitals across the country have taken special measures to treat patients. Intensive care units (ICUs) and ventilators have been prepared in multiple facilities, including those under Dhaka North City Corporation, the Infectious Disease Hospital, the Children’s Hospital, and Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Following reports of child deaths linked to ICU shortages at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, the minister said five ventilators have been donated and will be sent there soon.

He also expressed hope that local pharmaceutical companies will soon supply more than a dozen additional ventilators, which are expected to play an important role in controlling the outbreak.