Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) has fallen behind other urban centres in the ongoing measles-rubella vaccination campaign, according to DGHS data, as measles infections and deaths continue to rise nationwide.
SCC has achieved 87 per cent of its target since the campaign began on 5 April – the lowest among all city corporations.
Most other urban centres have 90 per cent coverage. Gazipur leads with 101 per cent. Dhaka North and Narayanganj stand at 97 per cent each. Rajshahi reached 94 per cent, while Barishal and Rangpur recorded 90 per cent and 89 per cent respectively.
SCC’s overall coverage stands at 80 per cent, also the lowest nationwide.
Late surge in daily vaccination
Despite the overall gap, Sylhet showed a sharp increase in activity in the past 24 hours. It vaccinated 3,133 people against a target of 1,843, reaching 170 per cent of the daily goal.
Officials said field teams have intensified outreach in recent days, including visits to schools and community areas.
Officials defend performance
SCC Chief Health Officer Md Jahidul Islam said the implementation plan is being followed and data reporting is accurate. “We are working according to plan. Teams are visiting each area two to three times,” he told TIMES of Bangladesh.
He said that the campaign has now expanded from community outreach to educational institutions to improve coverage.
Dropouts and migration gaps
Health officials say migration and follow-up failures are major challenges in Sylhet. Many families move between districts, making it difficult to ensure second-dose vaccinations.
Official data from 2023 to 2025 show persistent dropout cases. Each year, around 1,600 to 2,000 children in Sylhet district and 400 to 900 in SCC fail to receive the second dose.
Sylhet Civil Surgeon Md Nasir Uddin said awareness remains a key concern. “Many parents do not come for the second dose or forget about it,” he said, adding that health workers conduct regular field visits and reminders.
Residents cite weak awareness
Residents say vaccination messaging is not visible enough on the ground. “We do not see any regular vaccination campaign,” said Kayes Chowdhury, a Bagbari resident. “Only banners are placed on vaccination days.”
Another resident, Rumana Akter from Shamimabad, said mobility disrupts follow-up doses. “We changed house after my child’s first dose. The new centre refused the second dose,” she said.
Vaccine supply boosted
Amid the outbreak, Bangladesh received 1.5 million doses of measles vaccine on Wednesday. Health Minister Mohammad Sakhawat Hossain said there would be no shortage of vaccines. He added that 10.8 million more doses will arrive by 10 May under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation.
Persistent gaps in coverage
As the nationwide campaign continues, Sylhet’s performance highlights ongoing gaps in awareness, follow-up systems and last-mile delivery in immunisation services.
Since 15 March, Bangladesh has recorded 6,099 confirmed cases, 44,260 suspected cases and 324 deaths, including 56 confirmed measles deaths.
