A press conference was held at the National Press Club's Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah Hall on Monday, to present research findings on Bangladesh's vaccination programme.
The event, organised by Shastho Shurokkha Foundation and UNICEF Bangladesh, highlighted the successes, existing challenges, and future actions needed for the programme, reads a press release.
The research, supported by the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), revealed significant workforce shortages, with nearly 40% of positions in urban and rural vaccination projects and 43% at the EPI headquarters remaining vacant. The Urban Immunization Strategy-2019 and EPI Micro Plan-2024 recommend six vaccinators per 50,000 people—a target yet to be achieved. Additionally, vaccination centers are unevenly distributed, particularly in remote and high-risk areas.
Budgetary delays and the pending approval of the 5th Health, Population, and Nutrition Sector Program (HPNSP) have hampered vaccine procurement and distribution. EPI data from October 2024 indicated shortages of key vaccines, including PCV, OPV, and MR, despite allocated funding. Limited refresher training for vaccinators and inadequate monitoring and supervision of vaccination centers further hinder the program's effectiveness.
Transportation challenges in hilly, wetland, and riverbank regions delay vaccine delivery, particularly for underserved populations such as slum dwellers and floating communities. This has resulted in an increase in zero-dose and missed-dose children, further underscoring the need for targeted vaccination strategies.
Key recommendations from the study include immediate recruitment to fill existing vacancies, equitable allocation of vaccination centers based on population density, and improved vaccine supply chain management to prevent shortages. Enhanced monitoring, evaluation, and the development of a vaccination database were also proposed to ensure accurate data and effective workforce planning.
The study further emphasized targeted approaches, such as mobile clinics and door-to-door vaccination, to increase coverage in high-risk and isolated areas. It also called for increased budget allocation for immunization and the exploration of alternative funding sources, including public-private partnerships.
Dr. Nizam Uddin Ahmed, Executive Director of Shastho Shurokkha Foundation, delivered the keynote presentation, outlining the program’s challenges and proposed solutions. The session was moderated by Professor Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam, Policy Advisor for the research project, who also delivered the welcome speech.
The findings underscore the urgent need for reforms to address existing gaps and ensure the sustainability of Bangladesh's vaccination program as it transitions to full government financial responsibility by 2029.