Measles explodes in Bangladesh after vaccination breakdown, killing hundreds of children: Changes to government's vaccine purchase system after 2024 revolution led to nationwide shortages, gaps in immunity.

This article focuses on the explosive measles epidemic in Bangladesh in 2026, which has resulted in over 32,000 suspected cases and more than 250 deaths, primarily among young children. The outbreak stems from a breakdown in vaccine procurement following the 2024 revolution, when the interim government replaced UNICEF-led vaccine purchases with an open tender system, causing nationwide shortages and a sharp decline in immunization coverage. Contributing factors include delayed supplemental vaccination campaigns, widespread child malnutrition, and a strained healthcare system. The newly elected government has reinstated UNICEF procurement and launched emergency vaccination efforts, but experts warn these measures may not quickly contain the epidemic. The crisis has prompted calls for a formal public health emergency declaration and investigations into procurement failures under the interim government. [Extracted from the article]