At the world’s largest diarrhoeal disease treatment facility in Dhaka, doctors see the human cost of rotavirus every day — anxious parents, dehydrated children, and hospital beds filled with preventable suffering. Against this backdrop, public health experts, policymakers, and development partners gathered at icddr,b to renew their collective call for the inclusion of the rotavirus vaccine in Bangladesh’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).

Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe diarrhoea, vomiting, and dehydration in young children worldwide. It spreads rapidly through contaminated hands, water, or food, and unlike many other diarrhoeal infections, improvements in sanitation alone cannot stop its transmission. The disease infects the lining of the small intestine, causing illness that can become life-threatening if untreated. Globally, 132 countries have already included rotavirus vaccines in their national immunisation schedules — but Bangladesh and Sri Lanka remain exceptions in South Asia.

Every year, rotavirus is estimated to cause 2,500–3,000 under-five deaths in Bangladesh and millions of cases of illness. National surveillance shows that infections peak in winter, accounting for 84% of diarrhoeal cases during the season and 64% throughout the rest of the year. Beyond health, the disease also brings economic hardship. Families spend an average of USD 161 for each episode of rotavirus treatment, while nationally, hospitalisations cost an estimated USD 10 million annually.

“Bangladesh’s EPI is one of the great public health success stories,” said a senior expert at the event. “Introducing the rotavirus vaccine would be another milestone in protecting our children and strengthening national health security.”

The event, hosted by icddr,b, brought together leaders from the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG), EPI, DGHS, DGDA, IEDCR, UNICEF, WHO, and CDC, among others. Participants began by visiting icddr,b’s Dhaka Hospital to witness firsthand the impact of rotavirus infections on children and families.

Bangladesh has made significant contributions to global rotavirus research, producing over 270 scientific publications. The country has also conducted clinical trials on all four WHO-prequalified vaccines — Rotarix, RotaTeq, Rotavac, and Rotasiil — led by local scientists at icddr,b. Experts agreed that the evidence is clear: the vaccine is safe, effective, and ready for rollout.

Public health leaders, including Dr Firdausi Qadri and Dr K Zaman, highlighted Bangladesh’s readiness to act, recalling previous Gavi approvals and commitments. While the country may miss the September 2025 funding application window, participants expressed optimism about preparing for the January 2026 round.

Introducing the rotavirus vaccine into the EPI would complement existing child immunisations such as BCG, Pentavalent, OPV, PCV, and MR, ensuring that every Bangladeshi child receives protection against the full range of preventable diseases. Experts noted that this addition would further reduce hospitalisations, medical costs, and under-five mortality — aligning perfectly with Bangladesh’s goal of achieving zero-dose (ZD) and under-immunised (UI) child reduction.

As the meeting concluded, one participant summed up the shared sentiment: “We have the science, we have the capacity — now it’s time to make rotavirus protection a reality for Bangladesh’s children.” Through sustained advocacy, coordinated planning, and strong leadership, Bangladesh is once again poised to lead the region in child health innovation, reaffirming its commitment to universal immunisation and a healthier future for every child.  

Reference:
Stakeholders renew call to include Rotavirus vaccine in Bangladesh’s national immunisation programme [Internet]. Icddrb.org. [cited 2025 Oct 19]. Available from: https://www.icddrb.org/news/stakeholders-renew-call-to-include-rotavirus-vaccine-in-bangladeshs-national-immunisation-programme-14-08-2025