Health and Family Welfare Minister Sarder Md Sakhawat Hossain, has announced that the government has decided to maintain a six-month advance stock of vaccines to prevent any future shortages in the country.
“We have decided to keep a six-month advance stock of vaccines so that we do not face a vaccine crisis in the future,” the minister stated on Monday while inspecting a vaccination centre at Light Fair School in Badda.
He confirmed that a nationwide children’s vaccination programme commenced today and will continue as a year-round activity.
Highlighting the challenges faced by the current administration, the minister noted that they inherited a “zero stock” of vaccines upon taking office 65 days ago.
He alleged that the previous government had failed to implement the vaccination programme that was supposed to be conducted every four years following December 2020.
“There was no vaccination programme in the country after December 2020. Consequently, a large population remained deprived of vaccines. It is due to this situation that we are now facing measles outbreaks among our children,” Sarder Md Sakhawat Hossain explained.
The minister further shared that the government was able to swiftly build a strong stock of vaccines and Vitamin A through the cooperation of the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and other partners.
Following the recommendations of WHO and UNICEF, the first phase of the vaccination drive began on the 5th of this month, covering 18 districts and 30 upazilas.
The programme was subsequently expanded on the 12th to include Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka South City Corporation, Mymensingh City Corporation, and Barishal City Corporation.
The minister concluded by expressing his gratitude to UNICEF, Gavi, WHO, the United States, and members of the media for their continued support and cooperation.
