Vaccine-preventable diseases cause rising deaths in Pakistan and Bangladesh

South Asian nations are facing significant challenges with vaccine-preventable diseases. In Karachi, Pakistan, at least 144 children died from measles and diphtheria at four major hospitals during the first seven months of 2026. Hospital data shows 1,915 measles cases and 89 diphtheria cases during this period. Experts attribute these deaths to gaps in routine immunization and difficulties in completing vaccination schedules. UNICEF data indicates a decline in coverage between initial and subsequent doses, with DTP3 coverage at 86 percent and second-dose measles coverage at 80 percent.

In Bangladesh, a major measles outbreak has resulted in unprecedented numbers of cases and deaths. Since March 15, approximately 183,449 people have shown measles symptoms, with 20,851 confirmed cases. The death toll from measles symptoms has reached 975 since the outbreak began. Public health experts and UN agencies have linked the severity of the situation to previous negligence in measles vaccination efforts.