Dhaka, May 18 -- UNICEF Bangladesh has said that it had "repeatedly warned" the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government about an impending vaccine shortage and the consequent risk of disease outbreaks.

The UN children's agency revealed that its country representative Rana Flowers sent an official letter to the then-health advisor, Nurjahan Begum, on Feb 10 -- just ahead of the general election -- explicitly flagging the imminent crisis.

Responding to written queries from bdnews24.com on prior discussions on the measles vaccine crunch, UNICEF Bangladesh said on Sunday: "Yes. UNICEF engaged with the interim government leadership on multiple occasions and followed up with official letters after those meetings, warning of stock-out risks and ...