Dhaka, May 04 (V7N)- Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain has expressed optimism that the measles situation across Bangladesh will improve within the next four to five days, stating that 86 percent of children aged between six months and five years have already received the measles vaccine.

He made the remarks while speaking at a seminar held at a hotel in Banani, Dhaka, on Monday (May 4) afternoon.

The minister said that although vaccines generally take around three weeks to become fully effective, the government remains hopeful that the ongoing vaccination and management efforts will soon bring the outbreak under control.

Sakhawat Hossain warned that malnutrition and a decline in breastfeeding among children are weakening their immune systems, increasing the risk of severe complications such as pneumonia and related deaths.

He also said that Bangladesh had experienced a vaccine shortage during the previous government’s tenure, but the crisis was overcome with foreign assistance.

The Health Minister announced that a larger consignment of vaccines is scheduled to arrive in the country on May 6. He added that regular immunization activities would be strengthened further once the current pressure from measles cases begins to decline.

The government continues to urge parents to ensure vaccination for eligible children as part of efforts to contain the spread of the disease.

END/SMA/AJ