STAR REPORT

Bangladesh’s worsening measles epidemic followed the interim government’s decision to halt vaccine procurement through Unicef and switch to an open tender system, despite warnings that the move could disrupt routine immunisation and trigger an outbreak, according to a Science.org report published on Thursday.

Since mid-March, the country has reported more than 32,000 suspected measles infections and over 250 suspected deaths, mostly among children, it said.

Bangladesh had long relied on Unicef to supply measles-rubella vaccines, funded mainly by Gavi with government contributions. Children receive two MR doses at 9 and 15 months, while nationwide campaigns are held every four years to maintain 95 percent coverage.

But in September 2025, the interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus stopped vaccine procurement through Unicef and shifted to open tendering. Unicef strongly opposed the change.

SEE PAGE 8 COL 4