Achieving measles and rubella elimination

Bangladesh has set target to achieve measles and rubella elimination by 2020. Rubella control goal was achieved in 2018 and has developed elimination strategy action plan. Bangladesh introduced rubella vaccine as MR vaccine in 2012, introduced measles second dose at age of 15 months in routine immunization in 2012 and second dose as MR in 2015. Surveillance for measles and rubella was integrated with VPD surveillance in 2003 and CRS surveillance in 2012. The first measles campaign was introduced in 2004/05, followed by in 2010. MR catch up campaign targeting children 9 months to 14 years was conducted in 2014 vaccinating almost 53 million children.

 During celebration of world immunization week in 2018-2019 focus was given in strengthening MR vaccination coverage to vaccinate all drop-out and missed children with MR vaccine. In 2018 around 50, 000 children were vaccinated with MR vaccine.

 Bangladesh reported 113 suspected measles outbreaks of which 36 were measles positive in 2018 and total of >2,000 confirmed cases. and most affected age group is below 10 years. The government is planning to conduct MR follow up campaign in 2019 targeting children 9 months to 9 years.