Bangladesh faces a deadly measles epidemic with over 32,000 cases and 250 deaths, as policy changes under Yunus-led interim government disrupt vaccine supply, triggering nationwide immunisation collapse and raising urgent calls for public health emergency declaration.
A mounting public health crisis is unfolding in Bangladesh as a fast-spreading measles epidemic exposes vulnerabilities in the country’s immunisation system, with policy changes by the interim administration now under intense scrutiny.
Since mid-March, more than 32,000 suspected measles cases have been reported across Bangladesh, alongside over 250 confirmed deaths. Most of the victims are young children, raising alarm among health experts and humanitarian agencies. Hospitals, particularly in the capital Dhaka, have been pushed to the brink, with overcrowded wards, critical shortages of beds, and emergency conditions forcing medical staff to treat patients on floors and in hallways.
Doctors have described distressing scenes of children struggling to breathe, many in critical condition due to complications linked to measles infections. The surge has overwhelmed healthcare facilities, exposing deeper systemic weaknesses in public health infrastructure that had previously been masked by years of progress in vaccination coverage.
At the center of the crisis is a significant shift in vaccine procurement policy introduced during the tenure of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. Following political upheaval in 2024 that led to the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the new administration assumed control and initiated sweeping changes across governance sectors, including healthcare.
A key decision came in September 2025, when the government discontinued its long-standing partnership with UNICEF for vaccine procurement. Instead, it adopted an open tender system, inviting suppliers to bid for contracts. While the move was intended to increase transparency and competitiveness, experts argue it had unintended and devastating consequences.
The transition led to prolonged bureaucratic delays, disrupting the steady supply of vaccines nationwide. As procurement processes stalled, vaccine stockouts became widespread, significantly impacting routine immunisation programs. The consequences were immediate and severe, with a sharp decline in vaccination rates among children.
Data from government sources indicate that only 59 percent of eligible children received measles vaccinations in 2025, a steep drop compared to previous years. The disruption also forced the cancellation of a nationwide supplemental measles-rubella immunisation campaign that had already been delayed due to political instability.
Health experts have described the situation as a “catastrophic breakdown” in immunisation delivery, warning that such setbacks can rapidly reverse decades of public health gains. Measles, known for its high transmission rate, spreads quickly in populations with low immunity, making vaccination coverage critical to containment.
Compounding the crisis are underlying challenges such as widespread child malnutrition and a strained healthcare system. Malnourished children are more vulnerable to severe complications from measles, increasing mortality rates. The current outbreak has thus become not only a failure of disease prevention but also a reflection of broader socio-economic vulnerabilities.
Public health specialists have warned that the current emergency vaccination efforts may not be sufficient to immediately curb the outbreak. With measles spreading rapidly, delayed responses could allow the epidemic to intensify further before any measurable decline in cases is observed.
Calls are now growing for the government to formally declare a public health emergency, a move that experts believe would mobilize resources, streamline decision-making, and attract international support. Despite the severity of the situation, authorities have yet to make such a declaration, prompting criticism from health professionals who argue that urgency must match the scale of the crisis.
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The unfolding epidemic serves as a stark reminder of how fragile public health systems can be when disrupted by policy shifts and political instability. Bangladesh, once recognized for its strong immunisation programs, now faces the challenge of rebuilding trust, restoring vaccine supply chains, and containing a rapidly escalating outbreak.
As the number of cases continues to rise, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether swift corrective measures can prevent further loss of life, particularly among the country’s most vulnerable population—its children.
