Government launches investigation into vaccine shortage and child deaths from Measles

TBM Report

The Bangladesh government has officially launched an investigation into the ongoing vaccine shortage and the tragic deaths of children due to a Measles outbreak. Health Services Secretary Md. Kamruzzaman Chowdhury confirmed the move during a roundtable discussion titled “Measles Outbreak and the Path to Recovery,” held at the Bangladesh Medical University on Saturday (May 9, 2026). The investigation will primarily examine whether negligence or administrative lapses contributed to the crisis.

Addressing queries from journalists at the event organized by the Bangladesh Health Reporters’ Forum (BHRF), the Health Secretary stated, “We are investigating the reasons behind these deaths and whether anyone is to blame. The results will be made public.” Although the Secretary did not disclose the timeline or members of the committee, he emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring accountability.

Public health experts and virologists present at the meeting expressed grave concern over the apparent collapse of the Extended Program on Immunization (EPI). They noted that while Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, the recent surge indicates a failure in supply chain management and field-level monitoring. Representatives from WHO and UNICEF also attended the session, underscoring the international significance of the outbreak.

The investigation comes amid mounting pressure from the public and media, following reports that the current Measles outbreak could have been prevented with timely vaccination campaigns. Government officials assured that the findings would be shared transparently, providing clarity on how the vaccine crisis occurred and what measures are being taken to prevent future recurrences.