Mass vaccination campaign protects more than 166 000 children from measles in Rohingya refugee camps

More than 166 000 children aged 6 months to under 5 years living in Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh have been vaccinated against measles and rubella as part of a nationwide emergency vaccination campaign. The response follows a nationwide measles outbreak across all 64 districts of the country, including camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf.

After an initial phase in high-risk upazilas beginning 5 April 2026, the emergency vaccination campaign was launched nationally on 20 April by the Government of Bangladesh, with support from WHO and partners, including UNICEF and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Since 26 April, when the campaign began in the camps, 93.7% of children among the target population have been reached, providing critical protection from severe illness and death.

“The Government of Bangladesh is committed to protecting all children from vaccine-preventable diseases, including those in humanitarian settings,” said Md. Saidur Rahaman Khan, Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, at the 26 April launch event. “This response reflects our continued efforts to ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines.”

As of 14 May, 239 suspected measles cases have been tested from the camps, of which 60 were laboratory confirmed, with five associated deaths. The first laboratory-confirmed measles case in Cox’s Bazar District in 2026 was reported in Moheshkhali Upazila in February, before cases were detected in the camps, and as cases were being reported elsewhere in the country.

WHO supported the campaign through microplanning, surveillance and laboratory confirmation, while strengthening operational readiness across the camps. This included training 136 health workers on safe vaccination practices, reinforcing cold chain systems and pre-positioning vaccines and essential supplies to reach hard-to-access areas safely and quickly.

“Refugee camps are highly vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks because of high population density, frequent population movement and the continued risk of immunity gaps,” said Dr Nhu Nguyen Tran Minh, Head of the WHO Sub-Office in Cox’s Bazar. “Although a supplementary MR vaccination campaign was conducted in the camps in 2023, immunity gaps have re-emerged, underscoring the importance of rapid case detection, strong operational readiness and ensuring high vaccination coverage to protect children and prevent further spread.”

Before and during the campaign, community health workers went door to door to build trust and encourage families to seek vaccination and care early should measles symptoms present. “When vaccinators explained why children needed to be vaccinated, we understood the risk,” said Rahima, a caregiver in Ukhiya camp, who later encouraged other families in her block to bring their children for vaccination.

Nationally, by 10 May, the campaign had vaccinated more than 18 million children, reaching nearly all of its target population of 18.03 million children ahead of its scheduled conclusion on 20 May.

“Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions that exist,” said Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, WHO Representative to Bangladesh. “The emergency campaign is protecting children now, but sustaining strong routine immunization, and ensuring every child is reached, will be essential to prevent future outbreaks and save lives. WHO will continue to work with the Government and partners to provide technical and operational support in this endeavour.”  

For more information about this publication, please contact Terence Ngwabe Che, External Communication Officer, Cox’s Bazar Sub-Office, WHO Bangladesh, at chet@who.int