Health and Family Welfare Minister Md Sakhawat Husain said the government has adopted a 15‑month vaccine procurement plan to strengthen the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) and ensure child and maternal health protection.
Bangladesh currently has no vaccine shortage, and by 10 May another 18 million doses will arrive in the country, he added.
He was speaking at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Wednesday while receiving consignments from UNICEF.
He said the interim government’s controversial decision to purchase vaccines through open tender has been scrapped, with UNICEF once again tasked with procurement.
The government has already paid $83.6 million to UNICEF for 95 million doses of 10 different vaccines. The first consignment of over 1.5 million IPV doses arrived on 3 May, followed by another 1.5 million doses of MR and TD vaccines on Wednesday.
By September, UNICEF is expected to complete delivery of the full order, including MR, TD, BCG, TCV, bOPV and Penta vaccines. The minister noted that Bangladesh currently has a two‑year stock of TCV and HPV vaccines, ensuring no shortage for at least the next year.
On the ongoing measles‑rubella campaign, he said the drive began earlier than planned, on 5 May, and has already vaccinated 16.82 million children — 93 percent of the target.
He highlighted EPI’s global recognition, noting that Gavi has named Bangladesh a “Vaccine Hero.” Joint studies show the programme prevents around 100,000 child deaths and five million illnesses annually.
Criticising past policy missteps, the minister said he cancelled the open tender within two weeks of taking office and reinstated UNICEF as the supplier. For FY2026‑27, the government has planned vaccine procurement covering 15 months, including a three‑month buffer stock.
He urged parents, teachers and religious leaders to raise awareness and ensure every child receives at least one dose of MR vaccine. “Inshallah, we are moving towards 100 percent coverage,” he said.
He thanked Gavi, UNICEF, the Asian Development Bank and other partners for supporting Bangladesh’s immunisation efforts, with special appreciation for UNICEF representative Rana Flowers for expediting vaccine deliveries.
