Vaccine Procurement Delays Blamed for Rising Measles Fatalities in Bangladesh

Public health experts in Bangladesh are linking recent measles deaths to a series of vaccine procurement delays. The interim administration paused UNICEF’s measles‑vaccine supply in September 2025, coinciding with a rise in suspected cases to 205,028 and a death toll of 1,162 for the year. Seven children succumbed within a 24‑hour period, underscoring the urgency of the crisis. Since March 15, 182,047 patients with measles‑type symptoms have been treated, and 174,469 have been discharged after recovery. The open‑tender process for vaccine acquisition has faced criticism for its opacity and bureaucratic holdups, which officials say disrupted routine immunisation programmes across 58 of the country’s 64 districts.