3.4 million missed children to receive vaccines to prevent measles: Health Minister
Staff Correspondent
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain stated that the government has set a target to bring 3.4 million children who missed earlier vaccination drives under the national immunization network to prevent measles across Bangladesh.
The Health Minister made the announcement as the chief guest while inaugurating the nationwide special Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign 2026 at the T&T Playground in Korail, Mohakhali, Dhaka, on Saturday. The inaugural event was presided over by Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan.
Speaking at the program, Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain stated that following the assumption of office by the current government, a three-phase vaccination drive was initiated on April 5, 2026, and intensified nationwide on April 20, 2026. Under this initiative, approximately 18.5 million children have been vaccinated so far. He noted that the ongoing special vaccination campaign for children aged six months to 59 months will continue until October 31, 2026. Additionally, a reserve stock of 1 million vaccines has been set aside for emergency use while routine immunization programs continue.
Addressing past administrative shortcomings, the Health Minister criticized the previous Awami League administration and the subsequent interim government for four years of negligence and delays in the measles vaccination program between December 2020 and April 2026, citing foreign import delays linked to open tender procedures. He expressed deep grief over the deaths of nearly 1,000 children out of the 18.5 million who contracted measles during that period, describing every child's death as painful and unacceptable.
The ceremony was attended by Health Services Division Secretary Dr. A.N.M. Bazlur Rashid, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Additional Director General Professor Dr. Md. Jahid Raihan, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh Sheldon Yett, and World Health Organization (WHO) Deputy Representative Dr. Rajesh Narwal as honored guests.
