In many corners of Bangladesh, parents are returning from hospitals and immunisation centres with their children vaccinated—but without the crucial vaccination card in hand.

Under the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), every child is supposed to receive vaccines within a specific schedule after birth, including BCG, Pentavalent, OPV, and MR, among others. Alongside each dose, parents receive a vaccination card, a key document that records immunisation history and helps in applying for the child’s birth certificate.

However, in recent months, parents in several districts have reported not receiving this official card. While the supply of vaccines has improved following earlier shortages, vaccination cards remain unavailable in many centres.

Touhiduzzaman, a parent from Shailkupa Upazila in Jhenaidah, shared his experience: “My son got his first vaccine 45 days after birth. They told us the cards were out of stock and the government hadn’t supplied new ones. Even after three doses, we still didn’t receive the card. Without it, I can’t apply for his birth certificate.”

Similar concerns were echoed by parents in Moulvibazar, Barguna, and beyond. In most cases, health workers are noting vaccination details on plain paper or online printouts. Though these serve as temporary references, they aren’t officially recognised for administrative use like birth registration.

Officials at the EPI have acknowledged the issue. Dr Abul Fazal Md Shahabuddin Khan, Programme Manager of EPI, said, “This crisis didn’t happen all of a sudden. Last year, we didn’t have a tender. There was no supply. Now it’s going for printing. It might take a month or two.”

Despite these hurdles, Bangladesh’s immunisation commitment remains strong. Health workers are continuing vaccine delivery with dedication, and parents are not turning away. In many areas, communities are ensuring children receive essential vaccines, even in the absence of printed records.

Nihar Ranjan Acharya, a health assistant in Sreemangal Upazila, confirmed that the demand for vaccination cards remains high. “The shortage has been ongoing for a long time. The supply is far lower than the demand,” he said.

The card shortage is a temporary bottleneck in an otherwise robust immunisation system. Once resolved, families will be able to register births more easily, ensuring access to vital services for their children.

Efforts like these align with Bangladesh’s larger goal to reduce zero-dose (ZD) and under-immunised (UI) children. Vaccination is not just about the card—it’s about protecting children from life-threatening diseases and giving every child an equal start in life.

With the cards expected to be printed and distributed in the coming months, the path ahead looks promising. Bangladesh continues to move forward—one vaccine at a time. 

Reference:
Vaccination card crisis hampers birth registration across country [Internet]. jagonews24.com. [cited 2025 Jul 16]. Available from: https://www.jagonews24.com/en/national/news/82778