The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for urgent efforts to reach 34 lakh children who missed earlier measles vaccination campaigns and remain vulnerable as measles transmission continues in Bangladesh.
Deputy WHO Representative to Bangladesh Rajesh Narwal made the call on Saturday while speaking at the launch of the Intensified Measles-Rubella Catch-up Vaccination Campaign in Dhaka.
“Bangladesh has shown remarkable leadership by promptly launching the nationwide campaign in April, when we started to see the surge in measles cases,” he said.
Rajesh said epidemiological and hospital data, along with information from communities, showed that measles transmission was continuing and children were still suffering from the disease.
He said around 20 million children had already received the measles-rubella vaccine, but “the work is not yet complete”.
Highlighting the scale of the campaign, the WHO official said 34 lakh children would have to be reached within 36 days, making it a major challenge.
“It’s more than one lakh children every day. But we should not wait for the last day. We have to start our work now. We have to start looking for children and reaching all the missed children who remain vulnerable,” he said.
Rajesh said WHO remained committed to supporting the government, not only through the catch-up campaign but also by strengthening routine immunisation, disease surveillance and outbreak response.
Addressing parents and caregivers, he urged those whose children missed earlier vaccinations to get them vaccinated immediately.
“If your child missed vaccination by any chance in the earlier campaign, please, please get them vaccinated now,” he said, adding that the vaccine was highly effective and safe.
“This is the best investment you can make in your child’s future and health,” he said.
Rajesh also called on community and religious leaders to help identify children who missed vaccination and encourage them to visit the nearest vaccination centres.
“Look around your communities and see who was missed, and encourage them to go to the nearest vaccination site. Also, help facilitate the work of our vaccination teams,” he said.
Urging health workers to maintain vaccination standards, he said they must ensure cold chain management, reach every child and provide parents with proper information about what to expect after vaccination.
“Most importantly, look in the communities to reach the last child who is left behind,” he said.
Calling on the media to play its role in combating misinformation and disinformation about vaccines, Rajesh said collective efforts would help Bangladesh interrupt measles transmission soon.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain attended the inauguration of the nationwide special measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign-2026 as the chief guest at T&T playground in Korail, Banani.
Health Services Division Secretary ANM Bazlur Rashid, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Additional Director General Professor Md Zahid Raihan and UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh Gillian Mellsop attended the event as guests of honour.
