Measles outbreak increases due to policy failure; government initiates nationwide vaccination campaign and confirms vaccine sufficiency

Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain stated that measles infections have risen in children in Bangladesh due to a lack of vaccination campaigns during the previous four years. A nationwide vaccination campaign was initiated on April 20, 2026, across 18 districts and 30 upazilas to address the coverage gap. The government has confirmed sufficient vaccine availability. The Minister visited Munshiganj 250-bed General Hospital on April 24, 2026, where he oversaw the rollout and took administrative action against several local health officials, including the Superintendent and a stenotypist, for irregularities and providing misleading information.