Measles Not Yet Epidemic, Mass Vaccination Expands

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain was launching a nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign at Little Angel Seminary in Rupganj, Narayanganj yesterday

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain has said the current measles situation in Bangladesh has not reached epidemic proportions, citing ongoing emergency vaccination efforts across the country.

Speaking on Monday after launching a nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign at Little Angel Seminary in Rupganj, Narayanganj, the minister said around 85 percent of people in affected areas have already been brought under vaccine coverage.

He noted that city corporations are actively supporting the campaign and expressed confidence that targeted interventions in emerging hotspots will help contain the spread.

The minister acknowledged weaknesses in the health supply chain, attributing them to longstanding structural gaps, which affected the initial response. However, he said the government moved quickly once the outbreak was detected, particularly after a child’s death at an infectious disease hospital.

An intensive care unit was set up at the facility within 18 hours to manage severe cases. He explained that complications such as pneumonia often require ventilator support, and steps have been taken to address previous shortages of such equipment.

Sakhawat said assistance from international partners, including UNICEF, Gavi and the World Health Organization, has helped ensure the supply of vaccines and syringes, partly using unspent pandemic funds.

The vaccination drive, which began earlier this month in 30 upazilas across 18 districts, has since expanded to Dhaka’s two city corporations, as well as Mymensingh and Barishal, before being rolled out nationwide on Monday.

Responding to a question on whether the situation warrants a state of emergency, the minister said current conditions do not meet that threshold. He expressed hope that infection rates would begin to decline within the next few days as vaccination coverage increases.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts to recruit more doctors and improve medical equipment availability to strengthen the country’s healthcare capacity.