UNIPA News(London) 06 June : Bangladesh is facing a significant measles outbreak that has affected tens of thousands of children, prompting renewed concerns about immunization coverage, vaccine availability, and the effectiveness of public health interventions.
According to assessments cited from the World Health Organization (WHO), the outbreak has been linked to declining measles-rubella vaccination coverage, immunity gaps among children, disruptions in vaccine availability during 2024–2025, and the absence of a planned nationwide supplementary immunization campaign in 2024. WHO has warned that transmission may continue unless immunity gaps are addressed through large-scale vaccination efforts and strengthened disease surveillance.
Health experts and child rights advocates have expressed concern over the impact of the outbreak, which has resulted in reported deaths and severe illnesses among children. The situation has also raised questions about the resilience of the country’s immunization system and the adequacy of the response during the early stages of the crisis.
Data cited in the assessment indicate that children under the age of five account for 79 percent of reported cases. Among them, children under two years represent 66 percent of cases, while infants younger than nine months account for 33 percent. Public health specialists say these figures highlight substantial immunity gaps and the vulnerability of infants who are too young to receive routine measles vaccinations.
The outbreak has also drawn attention to disruptions in routine immunization services. Reports from within the health sector indicate that community-based vaccination and outreach activities were affected during an extended period of workforce disruption, including a reported seven-month strike involving community health workers. These workers play a key role in identifying unvaccinated children, supporting routine immunization, conducting community outreach, and maintaining local disease surveillance.
WHO has identified nationwide measles-rubella vaccine stock-outs during 2024–2025 as a major factor contributing to declining vaccination coverage and the growing number of susceptible children. Public health observers say the situation underscores the importance of uninterrupted vaccine procurement, reliable supply chains, effective program management, and timely decision-making during periods of elevated disease risk.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the management of measles prevention and vaccine procurement during the interim administration. According to the statement, repeated warnings from UNICEF regarding growing immunity gaps and the risk of a major outbreak were not followed by sufficient prioritization of measles vaccination efforts. The statement further alleges that experienced immunization professionals were not fully involved in key decision-making processes and that delays in procurement contributed to challenges in securing and deploying vaccines during a critical period.
The outbreak has disproportionately affected young children, residents of urban informal settlements, hard-to-reach populations, and other vulnerable communities. Public health experts emphasize the need for equitable access to immunization services and targeted efforts to reach children who have missed routine vaccinations.
In a public appeal, Prof. Dr. Md. Habibe Millat, President of the Global Center for Democratic Governance (GCDG), called on international public health institutions, child rights organizations, development partners, parliamentarians, and civil society networks to support an independent assessment of the outbreak and the effectiveness of the response.
The appeal also called for assistance in strengthening routine immunization services, improving vaccine supply systems, identifying and vaccinating missed children, promoting transparency and accountability in public health governance, and mobilizing technical and financial support to prevent further loss of life.
