Abstract

Measles is highly communicable and is one of the leading causes of death among young children globally. WHO set a regional goal in South-East Asian Region (SEAR) to eliminate measles by 2020? Bangladesh has taken several initiatives like introduction of second dose of measles vaccine in the national immunization program, strengthening the case-based surveillance system to reach the goal of elimination of measles. Though, Bangladesh has done well to reduce measles cases and measles-related deaths over the past decade but there are some issues that challenge to achieve the goal of elimination- small outbreaks that occur in Sylhet and Cox’s Bazar districts, in Sitakundu where 9 children died, and Rohingya refugees where 60% were children. However, as the deadline for achieving measles elimination is knocking at the door, Bangladesh will have to expand many of its programmatic components at a much quicker pace.

Keywords

Children, Measles, Immunization, Strengthening, Deaths, Vaccines, Mortality, Morbidity, Framework, Sensitive, Rubella, Drastic, Routine, Caregivers, Refugees, Customs, Families, Diseases, Vigilance, Ascertaining