In a small health center in Barishal, mothers line up with their children, clutching vaccination cards that mark a vital journey—protection from life-threatening diseases. Stories like these reflect the larger success of Bangladesh’s immunisation program, reaffirmed by the findings of the Routine EPI Coverage Evaluation Survey (CES) 2023.

A Milestone in Monitoring Immunisation

Conducted every two years since 1991, the CES remains a cornerstone for assessing immunisation progress across the country. The 2023 survey, the 24th of its kind, covered 128 survey units across districts, municipalities, and city corporations. For the first time, it was fully online, using digital tools, GIS monitoring, and the WHO’s updated methodology to ensure scientific precision.

Reaching More Children Than Ever

The CES 2023 assessed vaccination among 97,919 children aged 12–35 months and 65,846 women of childbearing age. The report’s findings highlight Bangladesh’s remarkable achievements:

• Crude full vaccination coverage among children aged 12–23 months stands at 95.2%, a continuation of steady national progress since the early 2000s

• Vaccines like BCG, Pentavalent, OPV, PCV, and MR showed consistently high coverage across most divisions.

• Divisional success was led by Barishal (89%) and city corporations like Rajshahi (99.8%), which stood out for near-universal reach towards Zero-Dose and Under-Immunisation Goals.

The survey also tracked Zero Dose (ZD) and Under-Immunised (UI) children. Nationally, only 0.4% of children were zero dose and 2.4% under-immunised—encouragingly low compared to global averages. These figures underscore Bangladesh’s commitment to the global Immunization Agenda 2030 of leaving no child behind.

Strong Community Engagement

The CES 2023 also applied the WHO’s Behavioural and Social Drivers (BeSD) framework for the first time in Bangladesh. The results were inspiring: 93.6% of caregivers knew where to vaccinate their child, and a vast majority expressed confidence in vaccines. This reflects the deep trust families place in frontline health workers and the EPI system.

Ensuring Equity in Urban and Rural Areas

While rural coverage continues to perform strongly, urban immunisation remains a focus for policymakers. National valid coverage among children aged 12 months was 81.6%, with rural areas slightly ahead of urban centres. The government and partners are already planning targeted strategies to ensure children in city corporations, slums, and hard-to-reach areas receive the same level of care.

A Forward Path

From card retention campaigns to evening immunisation sessions for working mothers, recommendations from CES 2023 emphasise inclusivity and accessibility. These steps align with the vision of the Country Learning Hub (CLH-BD): ensuring no child remains zero-dose or under-immunised in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s immunisation journey is a story of collective effort—of families, health workers, and policymakers. The CES 2023 shows that the nation is not only sustaining progress but also setting the foundation for a healthier, more equitable future.

Download EPI COVERAGE EVALUATION SURVEY (CES) 2023