Bangladesh has achieved a remarkable milestone in public health. Over the last two decades, the country’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) has vaccinated more than 50 million children, preventing an estimated 94,000 child deaths each year and reducing under-five mortality by 81.5%—a rare achievement shared by only six countries worldwide.

The success was highlighted during a press conference organised by the Health Protection Foundation on Thursday, August 28, at the Tafazzal Hossain Manik Miah Hall of the National Press Club. The keynote presentation was delivered by Dr. Nizam Uddin Ahmed, Executive Director of the Foundation, who emphasised that Bangladesh’s immunisation program continues to be a global model of success.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and UNICEF (2023), every 1 dollar invested in vaccination returns 25.4 dollars in health and economic benefits, a testament to the long-term value of immunisation. Bangladesh has already achieved major milestones, including the elimination of polio, maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT), and significant progress in hepatitis control.

Bangladesh’s EPI currently covers essential vaccines such as BCG, Pentavalent, OPV, PCV, and MR, ensuring protection against tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, measles, and pneumonia. Experts at the event praised these efforts as key drivers behind the country’s sharp decline in child mortality.

The immunisation program has also entered a new era of digital innovation. With support from UNICEF, Bangladesh has launched several modern tools, including VaxEPI, e-Tracker, GIS-based online microplanning, and e-VLMIS, all aimed at improving data management, monitoring, and vaccine distribution.

To strengthen cold-chain capacity, 120 innovative walk-in cooler rooms have been installed at the EPI headquarters and in 61 districts nationwide. These facilities ensure that vaccines are stored safely and distributed efficiently, even in remote regions.

Looking ahead, the government plans to launch a nationwide Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) campaign starting October 12, 2025, targeting 5 crore (50 million) children—a move that will further expand the country’s immunisation success.

Speakers at the event reaffirmed that Bangladesh’s immunisation journey stands as a global example of collaboration and resilience. From government commitment to community-level health worker dedication, every layer of the system contributes to the country’s progress toward zero-dose (ZD) and under-immunised (UI) reduction goals.

“Bangladesh’s EPI success shows that with strong planning, effective financing, and innovative partnerships, it is possible to protect every child and advance national health equity,” one of the speakers said.

As Bangladesh continues to invest in health innovation, its EPI stands not only as a national achievement but also as a source of inspiration for global immunisation programs — proving that every vaccine dose brings the nation closer to a healthier, more resilient future. 

Reference:
Khalil I. দুই দশকে ৫ কোটি শিশুকে টিকা, শিশুমৃত্যু কমেছে ৮১ শতাংশ [Internet]. Publichealth24.com. 2025 [cited 2025 Oct 19]. Available from: https://www.publichealth24.com/%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A7%AB-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95/