A nation’s response, a mother’s relief: Bangladesh steps up emergency measles vaccination

At the Ma O Shishu Shastho (Mother and Child) Hospital in Mohammadpur, west Dhaka, Afrida, 32, holds her two children – Ohran, 2, and Anika, 5 – close as they move through a crowded vaccination hall. Families arrive, children receive their shots and parents leave with quiet relief.

“The situation is dangerous. Bangladesh is heavily affected, and I was very scared for my children,” she says. “I brought them because I know the vaccine will protect them.”

Afrida’s concern is shared by families across Bangladesh, where, as of 18 April, a rapidly spreading measles outbreak has reached 58 of the country’s 64 districts. Highly contagious and potentially fatal, measles poses a serious risk to young children, particularly where immunization gaps persist.

More than 22 400 suspected cases and 3278 confirmed infections have been recorded. Young children between the ages of 6 months and five years are most affected, with 178 suspected deaths, largely among un- and under-vaccinated children below two years of age.

Rapid vaccination is critical to stop transmission and protect those most at risk.

“Measles is one of the most contagious diseases,” says Dr Jahangir Alam, WHO’s Divisional Coordinator for Dhaka, one of the most affected divisions. “Even small gaps in immunization coverage can trigger outbreaks. Every missed child increases the risk, but this is a disease we can prevent.”

A rapid national response

On 5 April 2026, following a sharp rise in cases through March, the Bangladesh Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) launched an emergency measles–rubella vaccination campaign, targeting children aged 6 months to 5 years, regardless of prior vaccination status. The campaign began in 30 high-risk upazilas across 18 districts.

The scale up has been swift. By 18 April, more than 1 492 000 children had been vaccinated in 30 Upazilas and four City Corporations, where over 2.4 million children are expected to be reached. On 20 April, the campaign was expanded nationwide, covering all remaining districts.

For health workers, the campaign is more than a professional duty; it is deeply personal.

“When I heard about the measles outbreak, it was heartbreaking to see so many children affected,” says Md Faruk Reza, a vaccinator and health professional at Ma O Shishu Shastho Hospital. “Now, I feel proud to be part of this effort, protecting children one by one and helping to stop the spread. It gives me great satisfaction to contribute to something that is saving lives.”

Under the MoHFW’s leadership, WHO and partners are supporting health workers like Faruk through training and field support, strengthening frontline capacity.

Critical to the campaign’s success is Bangladesh’s vast, country-wide network of WHO Surveillance Immunization Medical Officers (SIMOs), supported with generous financial contributions from Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance.  

“Across Bangladesh, WHO SIMOs are investigating suspected cases and outbreaks, strengthening disease surveillance and infection prevention in health facilities, as well as supporting Civil Surgeons and District Teams in the rapid rollout of the campaign,” says Dr Vinod Bura, Coordinator for Immunization and Vaccine-preventable Diseases (IVD) at the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia, who has been deployed to Bangladesh to support the response.

“Data collected through the SIMOs feeds into real-time monitoring systems that track disease trends, as well as vaccination coverage and safety, allowing rapid adjustments and helping national authorities to address gaps quickly.”

Given the severity of the outbreak, WHO has classified it as a Grade 2 emergency, enabling coordinated support from immunization and health emergencies teams across all three levels of the Organization.

“This level of emergency response allows WHO to rapidly scale up technical and operational support, working closely with national authorities and partners,” says Dr Anthony Eshofonie, WHO Team Lead for Health Emergencies in Bangladesh. “Rapid, coordinated action is essential to contain the outbreak and protect those most at risk.”

Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, WHO Representative to Bangladesh, says the campaign is critical to meeting immediate response needs, while providing an opportunity to strengthen routine immunization systems for more sustainable protection against vaccine-preventable diseases moving forward.

“Bangladesh has reduced under-five mortality from 36 per 1000 live births in 2015 to 33 in 2025, but progress must accelerate to reach the SDG target of 25. Achieving full immunization coverage is critical to this effort. In addition to responding to the current outbreak, the campaign provides an opportunity to build momentum for a stronger, more equitable and resilient immunization system – one that reaches every child, wherever they live.”

“Together with the MoHFW, UNICEF and partners, WHO will continue to support a coordinated national response, strengthening preparedness and resilience to prevent future outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations.”

From fear to relief

Back at Ma O Shishu Shastho Hospital, the steady flow of families continues. Muniruzzaman, Assistant Director of the hospital administration, watches with cautious optimism.

“We hope that our expert personnel will deliver a successful outcome for the campaign,” he says. “We aim to reach our targets, ensure high coverage and reduce the mortality we have seen thus far.”

After the children are vaccinated, Afrida sits with her youngest, Ohran, resting quietly in her arms, while Anika stays close by her side.

“I was very worried before,” she says. “Now, I feel relieved.”

In the coming weeks, millions of mothers like Afrida will walk through clinic doors, carrying both fear and hope. Each vaccination is a step towards protection today, and a future where no child is lost to a preventable disease.