Nationwide Measles–Rubella Vaccination Drive Begins, Targeting 18 Million Children
Published : 16:46, 20 April 2026
A nationwide emergency measles–rubella vaccination campaign has begun across Bangladesh to combat the recent outbreak of measles.
Under the programme, the government aims to vaccinate around 18 million children aged between 6 and 59 months.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain formally inaugurated the campaign on Monday morning at Little Angel Seminary in Zinda Park, Rupganj Upazila of Narayanganj.
The vaccines will be administered at all permanent and temporary vaccination centres across the country from 8:00 am daily, except on weekly holidays.
Assistant Director of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), Hasanul Mahmud, said the campaign covers all areas of the country, including 30 upazilas in 18 districts and four city corporations. In total, about 18 million children will receive the vaccine under the initiative.
The first phase of the vaccination drive began on April 5 in 30 upazilas across 18 districts. The second phase started on April 12 in four major city corporations—Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Barishal, and Mymensingh.
The nationwide special vaccination campaign launched on Monday will continue until May 12 in most parts of the country and until May 20 in city corporation areas.
Health authorities advised that children who currently have a fever or illness should receive the vaccine after recovery. They also recommended avoiding measles vaccination if four weeks have not yet passed since receiving the first dose.
