Commission formed to probe into measles vaccine delays, irregularities

The government on Wednesday formed a three-member inquiry commission to investigate alleged irregularities, delays and administrative failures in procuring and distributing measles vaccines during the interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus.

The Cabinet Division issued a notification on the inquiry as the country's combined confirmed and suspected measles death toll rose to 1,269 this year.

The commission is headed by former High Court Justice Mamnoon Rahman. Its other members are Prof Dr Moudud Hossain Alamgir, president of the Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons, and ANM Moinul Islam, additional secretary of the Health Services Division.

According to the notification, the panel will also determine the responsibility of the interim government that held office from 8 August 2024 to 17 February 2026.

The commission has been asked to complete its inquiry and submit a report within 60 working days. The report should address the causes of the vaccine procurement and distribution flaws, those responsible for administrative failures, and recommendations to prevent future incidents. 

For the purpose of its investigation, the commission can inspect any place in Bangladesh and summon and question any individual. The panel will receive secretarial support, expenses and assistance from officials from the Health Services Division and its subordinate organisations.

Meanwhile, six more children died with measles-like symptoms in the 24 hours until 8:00 am on Wednesday, raising suspected measles fatalities to 1,164 while confirmed deaths remained unchanged at 105, according to the Directorate General of Health Services.

Health authorities also recorded 1,325 new suspected cases, and 77 confirmed measles infections during the 24-hour period, taking cumulative suspected cases nationwide to 234,148 and laboratory-confirmed infections to 24,150. Since 15 March this year, 208,634 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 199,894 have recovered.

Source: UNB