As World Immunization Week 2025 begins, UNICEF, WHO, and Gavi have jointly raised concerns about disparities in immunization coverage in Bangladesh. While the country has made remarkable progress, with 81.6% of children fully vaccinated, nearly 400,000 children remain under-immunized, and 70,000 (1.5%) have not received any vaccines.
The gap is most pronounced in urban areas, where only 79% of children are fully vaccinated, compared to 85% in rural regions. Urban slums and hard-to-reach areas face significant barriers, including poverty, limited access to healthcare, and logistical challenges, reads a press release.
“Bangladesh’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), launched in 1979, has achieved extraordinary milestones, raising full immunization coverage from 2% to over 81% today,” said Stanley Gwavuya, UNICEF’s Representative OiC in Bangladesh. “However, reaching the last mile requires renewed urgency and targeted investment.”
Bangladesh’s EPI saves approximately 94,000 lives annually and prevents 5 million child illnesses, offering a $25 return for every $1 invested. Despite this success, the 70,000 zero-dose children and 400,000 under-immunized children remain at high risk of preventable diseases. Addressing these gaps is critical, especially with the upcoming transition from Gavi support, which will require the Bangladeshi government to fully fund its national immunization program.
“Immunization is one of the most effective public health tools,” said Dr. Ahmed Jamshed Mohamed, WHO Representative to Bangladesh. “Bangladesh’s achievements amid crises demonstrate strong leadership and dedication. But to ensure no child is left behind, we must continue investing in innovation, outreach, and stronger health systems.”
Recent innovations, such as real-time monitoring tools and self-registration systems, are improving coverage. With Gavi’s support, Bangladesh has also introduced the HPV vaccine, targeting over 7 million girls aged 10–14 to prevent cervical cancer.
Sam Muller, Regional Head at Gavi, emphasized the importance of sustaining investments in immunization, warning that any lapse could reverse progress and allow preventable diseases to resurge.
Urgent Calls to Action
UNICEF, WHO, and Gavi are urging the Bangladeshi government to:
- Address urban immunization gaps.
- Ensure adequate funding and human resources.
- Secure vaccine supply chains.
- Expand digital innovations for better monitoring and outreach.
- With a collective push, stakeholders aim to achieve over 95% vaccination coverage nationwide, creating a healthier, more resilient future for every child.
World Immunization Week 2025 serves as a reminder of what is possible with sustained commitment and collaboration. Through targeted actions, Bangladesh can bridge the remaining gaps, leaving no child behind in the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases.