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DHAKA, Apr 20, 2026 (BSS) - Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain has said that a large number of children in the country have been infected with measles due to irregular vaccination in the past.
“Gaps in routine immunization in the past have increased the risk of measles infection. Failures of previous governments have created an alarming situation regarding measles across the country,” he said.
The minister made the remarks today while inaugurating a measles-rubella vaccination campaign in Rupganj, Narayanganj.
However, he noted that the current situation cannot yet be termed an epidemic, and there is no need to declare a state of emergency at this stage.
At present, with the support of UNICEF and other international organizations, the vaccination campaign is progressing successfully.
He also mentioned that many mothers are not regularly breastfeeding their children for various reasons, making them more vulnerable to diseases including measles.
As a result, children are being given Vitamin A capsules separately to address nutritional deficiencies.
He emphasized that medicines alone cannot ensure children’s health and urged mothers to be more cautious in this regard.
Meanwhile, the third phase of the nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign began on Monday. Over the next four weeks (excluding Fridays and public holidays), vaccines will be administered daily from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm at designated centers.
All children aged between 6 and 59 months will be administered the vaccines.
