Amid the rhythmic hum of a rural health centre or the busy footsteps of an urban outreach worker, a quiet revolution continues—one that has changed the destiny of millions of Bangladeshi children. As the world comes together to celebrate World Immunization Week, Bangladesh reflects on its remarkable journey of turning vaccines into a legacy of life. It’s a story shaped not just by policies and plans, but by community trust, health worker dedication, and an unwavering commitment to reaching the last child.

In April 1979, when Bangladesh officially adopted the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), vaccines were still a distant promise for many children. Back then, coverage was less than 2%. But change began to stir. With strategic planning and strong political will, Bangladesh joined the Global Universal Child Immunization Initiative in the mid-1980s. What followed was nothing short of historic: by 1990, immunisation services reached every upazila, municipality, and city corporation—touching the lives of both infants and expectant mothers.

Today, more than 3.7 million children in Bangladesh receive vaccines every year through routine immunisation, with coverage levels consistently above 90%. These are not just numbers. Each vaccinated child represents a family protected, a future secured, and a health system that delivers.

Dr. Md. Nizam Uddin, a long-time advocate of equitable health systems, sees this as more than a public health win. “Immunisation is our strongest social contract with the next generation,” he notes. “It says we value their future.”

Bangladesh’s immunisation schedule began with six vaccines—BCG, DPT, OPV, Measles, and TT. Over time, it has evolved to include pentavalent vaccines, which protect against five deadly diseases with a single shot. The shift from “Reach Every District” in 2003 to “Reach Every Community” in 2017 marked a deeper, more inclusive ambition: equity, not just access.

Behind this progress are countless unsung heroes—village health workers who walk miles to cold-chain points, community volunteers who build vaccine awareness in remote chars, and mothers who bring their children to immunisation sessions with hope in their eyes.

The Country Learning Hub – Bangladesh plays a vital role in ensuring that this progress reaches every child, especially those in zero-dose (ZD) and under-immunised (UI) communities. Through learning, innovation, and partnership, it supports the EPI in building resilient, data-driven solutions tailored for the most vulnerable.

And while Bangladesh has won global accolades—including the GAVI Best Performance Awards and the Vaccine Hero Award—its truest success is the collective belief that no child should be left behind.

As World Immunization Week reminds us, immunisation is not just a technical achievement—it’s a human right. In the footsteps of every vaccinated child walks the future of Bangladesh.  

Reference:
Ahmed NU. Celebrating World Immunization Week: A legacy of saving Lives and Strengthening Communities in Bangladesh [Internet]. The Business Standard. 2025 [cited 2025 Jul 16]. Available from: https://www.tbsnews.net/thoughts/celebrating-world-immunization-week-legacy-saving-lives-and-strengthening-communities