DHAKA, Apr 01 (V7N) — Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain has announced a nationwide special measles vaccination campaign beginning next Sunday, April 5, 2026. The emergency drive aims to curb a rising trend of measles cases, specifically targeting children aged 6 months to 10 years.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Health on Wednesday, the Minister emphasized that the government is treating the situation with the utmost urgency.

Emergency Vaccine Procurement

To meet the immediate demand, the government has secured a massive consignment of vaccines through international partnerships:

  • GAVI Loan: Bangladesh is borrowing 21.9 million (2.19 crore) doses of the measles vaccine from GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.

  • UNICEF Partnership: The government has already provided Tk 604 crore to UNICEF for the procurement of these vaccines. Once the borrowed doses are received and utilized, the financial adjustments with GAVI will be finalized.

  • Continuous Routine Immunization: The Minister clarified that while the measles drive is a priority, all other routine Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) activities will continue without interruption.

Logistics and Field Mobilization

The Ministry is moving into a "war footing" to ensure the vaccines reach the most remote and affected areas:

  • Rapid Deployment: All necessary syringes and vaccine vials are scheduled to be dispatched to rural health complexes and community clinics within the next 48 hours.

  • Canceled Leave: To ensure 100% coverage, the government has canceled the leave of all field-level health officials and workers involved in the vaccination program until further notice.

  • Affected Areas First: While the campaign is nationwide, special focus and additional resources are being diverted to rural "hotspots" where recent outbreaks have been reported.

Message to Parents

Minister Sakhawat Hossain urged parents and guardians to bring their children to the nearest vaccination centers starting Sunday. "Urgent times are ahead, and we must protect our future generation from this preventable disease," he stated.

The Ministry of Health will release a detailed schedule of vaccination centers, including schools and community centers, via state media and local administrations by Friday.

END/SMA/AJ