Child immunisation in urban areas has always been a critical public health priority in Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka. However, reaching every child with life-saving vaccines remains a challenge, especially among children of working mothers and migrants. To address this issue, the Surjer Hashi Clinic in Adabor, Dhaka, has taken a commendable step by introducing special evening vaccination sessions, which are making a significant impact on reducing the number of zero-dose and under-immunised children. 

Launched on February 1, 2024, the evening session at Surjer Hashi Clinic runs once a week, every Monday from 4 pm to 8 pm. This initiative comes in addition to the clinic’s regular vaccination sessions held three days a week—Saturday, Monday, and Thursday—from 8 am to 2 pm. The evening sessions have proven to be a game-changer, drawing in an average of 20 to 30 children each week, compared to 15 to 20 children per day during the regular sessions. 

“Initially, the response to the evening session was slow,” recalls Mr. Jaynal, a Field Resource Officer (FRO) of icddr,b. “But we recognised the need to raise awareness. So, we organised special announcements in public places, especially in nearby garment factories where many local women work. We used the factory’s public announcement (PA) system to promote the evening session. Soon, many mothers started bringing their children to the clinic.” 

One such mother is Amena, who works long hours in a garment factory. “The evening session has been a blessing for us,” she says. “I was worried about missing my child’s vaccinations because of my work schedule, but now I am happy as I can bring my child in the evening vaccination session.” 

Another mother, Setu, echoes this sentiment. “I never thought I could find the time to vaccinate my child within my busy routine. The evening session is perfect for working mothers like me as well.” 

Md. Farhad Hossain, the Clinic Manager at Surjer Hashi Clinic, acknowledges the importance of this initiative. “We receive vaccines once a month from our zonal headquarters in Mohammadpur Shia Masjid, and we have seen a steady increase in the number of children attending the evening sessions. It’s a sign that more parents are becoming aware and committed to immunising their children with EPI vaccines.” 

The Surjer Hashi Network, under the Urban Primary Health Care Services Delivery (UPHCSD), has been a cornerstone of child immunisation in urban Dhaka since 2006. Initially offering vaccinations once a week, the clinic expanded to three days in a week to meet growing demand. With the introduction of evening sessions, the Network is taking a crucial step towards ensuring that every child, especially those of working mothers, receives the necessary EPI vaccines. 

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has also been instrumental in these efforts, launching the e-tracker program in October 2023 and a GIS-based online microplan and daily reporting system in January 2024. DNCC is striving to strengthen the immunisation process across the city by conducting the EPI sessions with the dedicated 85 immunisation workers. 

While challenges remain, the evening vaccination sessions are a promising strategy in the ongoing battle to achieve 100% child immunisation in Dhaka. By addressing the needs of working mothers and other marginalised groups, the city is moving closer to a future where no child is left unvaccinated.