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Bangladesh connected Sunday (April 5, 2026) launched an exigency vaccination run targeting much than a cardinal children arsenic a fast-spreading measles outbreak sweeps crossed the country.
Health Ministry figures show determination person been 17 confirmed deaths from measles truthful far, with 113 suspected deaths and much than 7,500 suspected infections nationwide.
The campaign, led by the wellness ministry with enactment from UNICEF, the World Health Organization and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, began successful 18 high-risk districts, according to a associated property release.
Children aged six months to 5 years are being prioritised, peculiarly those who missed routine immunisation and look the highest hazard of terrible complications.
“UNICEF is profoundly acrophobic astir the crisp emergence successful measles cases across Bangladesh, putting thousands of children, particularly the youngest and astir vulnerable, astatine superior risk,” said Rana Flowers, the charity’s typical to Bangladesh.
“This resurgence highlights captious immunity gaps,” she said.
Hospitals successful respective high-burden regions are already overcrowded and operating with constricted capacity, raising concerns astir further spread.
The World Health Organization told Reuters that the outbreak, which present spans 56 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts, would proceed to spread successful the coming days but would likely beryllium curtailed soon aft the vaccination run is rolled out.
“This run will assistance forestall further tragic nonaccomplishment of young lives,” said Dr. Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, the group’s typical to Bangladesh.
Officials said the exigency vaccination thrust volition complement regular immunisation efforts arsenic authorities enactment to incorporate the outbreak.
