Bangladesh Launches Emergency Measles Vaccination Drive After Child Death Toll Passes 100
Bangladesh Launches Emergency Measles Vaccination Drive After Child Death Toll Passes 100
Bangladesh rushes to vaccinate children as measles outbreaks claim over 100 lives, with UNICEF boosting coverage in Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar.
Bangladesh has launched an emergency measles-rubella vaccination drive as health authorities scramble to contain an outbreak that has killed more than 100 children since mid-March. Officials say the focus is on reaching children in densely populated areas where transmission runs high and where health services are stretched.
The vaccination push will roll out measles-rubella vaccines at clinics across the country and through outreach teams targeting high-risk zones. Health workers are working to maximize coverage quickly, emphasizing the importance of immunization in preventing severe complications from measles and protecting vulnerable communities.
UNICEF said it will intensify efforts to ensure high vaccination coverage in both Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar, coordinating with local health offices to extend clinic hours and bolster outreach with community health volunteers. The goal is to curb transmission in crowded urban centers and along the coastal district where vaccination gaps have been reported.
Public health officials urged parents to bring eligible children for immunization as part of the broader response to the outbreak. While the situation remains dynamic, the emergency drive is designed to prevent further deaths and reduce future outbreaks by strengthening immunity among the youngest and most at-risk residents.
