15 lakhs doses of MR vaccine arrive in country

Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain announced on Wednesday that a total of 15 lakh doses of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine and 90,000 doses of the Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) vaccine have arrived in the country.

The minister shared the update while speaking to journalists at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka around 11:30 am, shortly after receiving the vaccines procured through UNICEF. Health Services Division Secretary Md. Kamruzzaman Chowdhury was also present at the airport.

Sakhawat Hossain detailed the government's procurement plan, noting that 83.6 million Taka has already been disbursed to UNICEF to secure 95 million doses of 10 different types of vaccines.

"UNICEF delivered the first batch of 1,505,000 doses of IPV vaccine on May 3. Today, they supplied an additional 1.5 million doses of MR and 90,000 doses of Td vaccine," the minister said. 

He added that another 10.8 million doses of MR, Td, BCG, TCV, bOPV, and Penta vaccines are scheduled to arrive by May 10, with the complete supply expected by September this year.

Looking ahead, Sakhawat Hossain outlined the government's proactive strategy: "We have formulated a 15-month vaccine procurement plan for the 2026-27 fiscal year, which will include a three-month buffer stock. This process will also be initiated through UNICEF." 

He assured the public that the country currently holds a sufficient two-year stock of TCV and HPV vaccines, and the new shipments will prevent any shortages of other routine vaccines for the next 8 to 12 months.

The health minister also reflected on the legacy of the country's Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), which has provided routine vaccinations against 12 preventable infectious diseases for children and women since 1979. He proudly noted that the EPI is a globally recognized success, earning Bangladesh the "Vaccine Hero" accolade from Gavi. 

However, Sakhawat Hossain criticized recent administrative missteps, stating, "Due to some flawed decisions by the interim government, this successful and internationally recognized EPI program was compromised. They had initiated an open tender process to purchase vaccines." 

He explained that he canceled the open tender within two weeks of taking office and formally requested UNICEF to handle the supply. 

"Fortunately, the Prime Minister has given top priority to the Health Ministry's EPI, as it is directly linked to saving children's lives. The government expedited the release of the required funds to UNICEF," the minister concluded.