Vaccination Gaps and Malnutrition Fuel Child Health Crisis in Bangladesh

Dhaka, July 9 – Bangladesh is confronting a worsening public‑health emergency as measles spreads among its youngest citizens. Between March 1 and June 30, 2026, more than 101,000 suspected measles cases were recorded in children younger than five, resulting in 6,258 deaths, officials say.

The outbreak coincides with a persistent pneumonia problem that claims around 24,000 under‑five lives annually – roughly 60 deaths per day. In malnourished children, measles can trigger severe complications, amplifying the fatality risk from respiratory infections.

Vaccination coverage has slipped. The proportion of 12‑23‑month‑old children who complete the full immunisation schedule fell from 83.9% in 2019 to 81.6% in 2023. Urban areas lag behind with only 79% coverage, while rural regions achieve 84.6%. While the BCG birth‑dose exceeds 98%, a large share of children miss the second dose of the measles‑rubella (MR‑2) vaccine by 15 months.

Breast‑feeding remains insufficient, with exclusive feeding for the first six months recorded for just 56% of infants. Contributing factors include short maternity leaves, limited workplace lactation facilities, low awareness, and the ready availability of formula milk. Moreover, 43.6% of children under five suffer from anaemia, reflecting widespread deficiencies in iron, vitamin A, vitamin D and zinc.

Health workers involved in the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) flagged problems such as missing vaccination cards, incomplete registers, and irregular vaccine supplies. The consensus among specialists is clear: decisive action to boost nutrition, improve immunisation rates, and strengthen primary health care is essential to prevent a deeper child‑health disaster.