With measles spreading rapidly across Bangladesh, the government is taking new steps to protect children’s health. Reports of infections and deaths among infants under nine months have caused particular concern. In response, the Directorate General of Health Services has decided to start vaccinating children from six months of age, earlier than the usual nine-month schedule recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Dr Khaleda Akhi of the WHO Chattogram surveillance team explained that newborns are usually protected during the first six months by antibodies received from their mothers, which is why vaccination is normally unnecessary before nine months. However, the current outbreak has shown higher infections among six- to nine-month-old infants, prompting the government to include them in the vaccination programme.
Recently, two infants under nine months died in Chattogram with measles-like symptoms, one of them younger than six months. This has raised questions about how the vaccine will affect infants this young.
Normally, the first dose of the measles vaccine is given at nine months, when it provides about 85% protection. In emergencies, vaccination can begin at six months, but effectiveness drops to below 50%. Health experts stress that giving the vaccine at six months is safe and does not harm the child, although it is less effective than at nine months.
The Directorate General of Health Services plans a month-long special vaccination drive starting in June, aiming to vaccinate around two million children. This campaign will cover children aged six months to 10 years, while the regular Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) starting at nine months will continue.
Measles is no longer limited to specific areas. Cases have been reported across Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, and other regions, with confirmed infections exceeding 1,500. Chattogram alone saw 18 hospital admissions within 24 hours. To manage the outbreak, the government has allocated Tk6.04 billion for emergency measures and is preparing additional hospital facilities, ICU beds, and ventilators.
Experts warn that Bangladesh’s annual birth cohort of about three million children includes many who remain unprotected. They recommend vaccinating children as soon as possible. Children who have already had measles should get vaccinated after recovery and once fever subsides. Authorities emphasise that following the vaccination schedule is the best way to protect children during this outbreak.
17 more children hospitalised in Ctg
Another 17 children have been admitted to hospital in Chattogram with suspected measles, according to a report released by the Civil Surgeon’s Office on Thursday.
The total number of suspected cases in the city has now risen to 80. However, no new suspected cases were reported in the district’s 15 upazilas, offering some relief.
The report also said 12 new samples have been sent to the National Polio and Measles Laboratory in Dhaka for testing. So far, a total of 123 samples from the district have been sent for examination.
Chattogram Civil Surgeon Jahangir Alam said surveillance has been strengthened at the field level to monitor the situation. He said additional precautions are being taken in the metropolitan area to control the spread, while both confirmed and suspected patients are being brought under treatment and samples are being tested as required.
Another child dies of measles symptoms
Another child has died with measles-like symptoms in Chattogram, heightening concerns over the spread of the disease in the region.
The child, aged under nine months, died on Wednesday night while undergoing treatment at Chattogram Medical College Hospital. According to hospital authorities, the infant had been brought from Kutubdia in Cox’s Bazar.
Sources at the hospital and the Civil Surgeon’s Office said the child was initially admitted to a private hospital in the city. As the condition deteriorated, the child was shifted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Chattogram Medical College Hospital, where the child later died.
Earlier, on Tuesday morning, another child, also from the Cox’s Bazar region and aged under six months, died at the same hospital while undergoing treatment with similar symptoms.
Jahangir Alam confirmed the latest death, adding that samples from the child have been sent for testing to confirm measles infection.
