Prof Sayedur Denies UNICEF's 2025 Measles Shortage Claim as Coverage Data Showed No Shortfall
Updated
Updated · The Daily Star · May 19
Prof Sayedur Denies UNICEF's 2025 Measles Shortage Claim as Coverage Data Showed No Shortfall
1 articles · Updated · The Daily Star · May 19
Prof Sayedur Rahman said UNICEF's claim that it repeatedly warned Bangladesh's interim government about a measles vaccine shortage and possible outbreak was not borne out by official discussions or records.
At a May 19 press conference, he said there was no specific discussion of measles vaccine shortages and that 2025 coverage data through December showed no sign of a sustained shortfall.
He added that, aside from one or two isolated incidents, there was no indication people were turned away without measles shots because supplies had run out.
Rahman also said UNICEF's communications to the government did not mention a "measles outbreak," while decisions on special vaccination campaigns are made by an inter-agency committee that includes UNICEF and WHO representatives.
Is Bangladesh's outbreak a local tragedy or a warning of a collapsing global fight against measles?
Could a simple procurement change be responsible for hundreds of measles deaths, despite UN warnings?
Beyond the blame game, how can nations balance anti-corruption rules with the urgent need for life-saving vaccines?