A high-level conference held in Dhaka this week emphasized the urgent need to expand and strengthen childhood immunization coverage in Bangladesh. Organized by the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), in collaboration with UNICEF, WHO, Gavi, and the Country Learning Hub, the two-day event brought together policymakers, healthcare professionals, and development partners to assess the current state of immunization efforts and identify strategies to reach unvaccinated and under-immunised children across the country. According to data presented at the conference, Bangladesh has made significant progress in immunization over the decades, rising from just 2% full immunization in 1979 to over 81% nationally. However, challenges remain. Around 500,000 children in the country still lack full immunization coverage. Among these, approximately 70,000 are identified as “zero-dose” children those who have never received any vaccine while the remaining 400,000 are considered under-immunised. One of the key concerns raised was the disparity between urban and rural immunization coverage. While rural areas report about 85% full coverage, urban areas, particularly informal settlements and slums, lag behind at around 79%. Conference participants attributed this gap to logistical challenges, high population mobility, and a shortage of community-based health workers. It was also revealed that nearly 40% of field-level EPI positions remain vacant, limiting the programme’s outreach capacity. In response, development partners called for urgent measures to fill staffing gaps, invest in cold chain logistics, and adopt digital systems to track vaccinations. Dr. Ahmed Jamshed Mohamed, WHO Representative in Bangladesh, stressed the need for digital innovation and targeted urban outreach to identify and vaccinate zero-dose children. UNICEF’s Stanley Gwavuya echoed similar sentiments, urging stronger planning, local engagement, and sustainable funding models. The conference also discussed the implications of Bangladesh’s upcoming graduation from Gavi support by 2029. With this transition, the country will need to strengthen domestic financing mechanisms to maintain and expand immunization coverage. Suggestions included scaling immunization centers in high-density areas, improving supply chain reliability, and deploying mobile health teams in urban slums and hard-to-reach areas. Participants agreed that while significant progress has been made, achieving full immunization requires coordinated action, political commitment, and innovation. The focus must shift toward the “final mile” ensuring no child is left behind due to geography, poverty, or system limitations. The Dhaka conference concluded with a renewed call for action, reinforcing the national goal of equitable vaccine access for every child in Bangladesh. With the right investments and partnerships, the country can move closer to its vision of a fully immunized, healthier future generation.
