Measles outbreak driven by immunisation gaps: Health Minister

Bangladesh’s recent rise in measles infections has been attributed to gaps in vaccination coverage, with the government acknowledging that missed immunisation cycles have left large numbers of children vulnerable to the disease.

Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Health and Family Welfare Minister Md Sardar Sakhawat Husain said the absence of a nationwide measles-rubella campaign over several years had contributed significantly to the current outbreak. He noted that the last large-scale immunisation drive took place in late 2020, despite such campaigns typically being scheduled at regular intervals.

The minister said the lapse had resulted in many children, including those born in recent years, missing routine protection, creating conditions for wider transmission.

Lawmakers raised concerns about the scale of the outbreak, citing rising numbers of suspected and confirmed deaths alongside thousands of infections. Questions were also raised about the readiness of healthcare facilities, particularly outside major urban centres, with reports of limited access to isolation units and critical care services in some regions.

In response, the government outlined a series of emergency measures aimed at containing the spread of the disease. A targeted vaccination campaign has already begun in high-risk areas, focusing on children aged between six months and five years. Officials said the initial phase had achieved high coverage rates, with plans to expand the programme to additional urban centres before a nationwide rollout.

The minister also said steps were being taken to strengthen hospital capacity, including the establishment of isolation wards and the expansion of critical care facilities. Additional oxygen delivery systems are being deployed, and efforts are underway to ensure adequate supplies of vaccines.

Financial and logistical support is also being mobilised, with international partners expected to assist in scaling up the response. Authorities said funds from earlier public health programmes are being redirected to support vaccine procurement and outbreak management.

At the same time, officials acknowledged ongoing challenges in the health system, including concerns about resource utilisation and field-level coordination. Measures such as cancelling leave for health workers have been introduced to improve oversight and ensure consistent service delivery.

The government has urged continued vigilance among the public, emphasising the importance of vaccination and early treatment in reducing complications from measles.

As the response effort expands, health authorities face the task of closing immunisation gaps while managing a growing number of cases in what has become one of the most pressing public health challenges in recent years.