Strengthening vaccination coverage
Overview
Immunization is top priority program of government of Bangladesh. Ever year > 3.7 million target children receive at least 11 antigens. For last several years Bangladesh has achieved and maintained high routine immunization coverage. But coverage is not uniform among geographical area, education of mothers and wealth. There are hard to reach and high-risk areas that need continuous support and monitoring. The government through its annual EPI work plan has developed strategies to address the challenges that exist in achieving high coverage.
During celebration of world immunization week in 2018-2019 focus was given in strengthening MR vaccination coverage to vaccinate all drop-out and missed children with MR vaccine. In 2018 around 50, 000 children were vaccinated with MR vaccine.
Bangladesh has introduced several new vaccines into routine immunization since last decades -Hepb, Hib, rubella, PCV, IPV.
Key facts
- Bangladesh according Joint Reporting Form (JRF) has achieved > 90% coverage for all antigens in last several years. According to coverage evaluation survey 2018, has > 90% coverage for most of the antigens except MR (88%).
- In process of developing “immunization act” and “urban immunization strategy”
- Bangladesh has introduced several new and underused vaccines since last decades (HepB, Hib, rubella, PCV, IPV)
