Bangladesh launches measles vaccination drive amid deadly outbreak

Bangladesh launched a nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign on Saturday (September 26, 2026), targeting 3.4 million unvaccinated ​and missed children, amid its worst-ever measles outbreak , which has ‌killed more than 1,000 people and infected ​tens of thousands.

The month-long campaign aims ⁠to vaccinate children aged 6 months to 59 months who missed earlier immunisation efforts after authorities lowered the minimum ‌vaccination age from the usual 9 months because of the outbreak.

The outbreak has exposed ‌gaps in childhood immunisation and put growing ‌pressure ⁠on health services, already grappling with a seasonal ⁠surge in dengue infections.

Bangladesh is currently experiencing the world’s largest measles outbreak, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control ​and Prevention. It has ‌recorded 1,087 confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths, including 101 laboratory-confirmed fatalities.