From measles, EPI disruption now extends to rabies vaccine crisis
The suspension of the sector programme practically ended centralised procurement that previously ensured free vaccines in public hospitals, replacing it with slower annual purchasing and fragmented hospital-level procurement
The shutdown of Bangladesh's five-year health sector programme and its operational plan during the interim government has disrupted vaccine procurement under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), triggering shortages that began with measles vaccines and have now extended to rabies immunisation nationwide.
Three days ago, six-year-old Asha Moni was scratched by her pet cat. Her mother Ayesha Begum took her to Khulna General Hospital, but found over 100 patients waiting and no government stock, later buying a dose privately for Tk800.
Officials said rabies vaccines were previously provided free under EPI but have been disrupted for nearly a year following suspension of the operational plan. The shortage has since spread across districts.
In Bogura, patients are unable to obtain vaccines at local hospitals, while Khulna nurses report four months of shortages with 100-200 daily patients and inadequate supply. Bogura Civil Surgeon Dr Md Khurshid Alam said a recent government decision allows hospitals to purchase up to Tk25,000 worth of vaccines from their own funds, but this remains far below actual demand.
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Similar gaps persist in Naogaon, Brahmanbaria and Rajshahi, where limited stocks are quickly exhausted. At Naogaon 250-bed General Hospital, acting superintendent Dr Mir Sufian said, "We are managing with whatever is available, but it is not enough."
Barishal Civil Surgeon Dr SM Monzur-e-Elahi said that he contacted Incepta Pharmaceuticals, which currently has no stock but expects supply within two weeks, offering limited hope of easing the pressure.
Experts warn of reversal in rabies control gains
The suspension of the sector programme practically ended centralised procurement that previously ensured free vaccines in public hospitals, replacing it with slower annual purchasing and fragmented hospital-level procurement.
Former DGHS disease control director Dr Benazir Ahmed said $33 million invested under the fourth sector programme reduced rabies deaths by over 90%, but warned these gains are now at risk.
He said elimination of rabies by 2030 is now unlikely to be executed on time, citing 500,000-600,000 annual bite cases, 3-4 month procurement delays due to annual purchasing cycles, and stalled dog vaccination programmes covering 1.6-1.7 million dogs requiring repeated rounds of vaccination.
Govt outlines procurement shift and recovery timeline
Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said earlier vaccine procurement plans were revised after he took office, shifting supply to Unicef. The government has disbursed $83.6 million for 95 million doses of 10 vaccines. A further $35 million procurement plan and a 15-month buffer stock strategy are underway, with shortages expected to ease within 8-12 months.
DGHS official Dr Md Halimur Rashid said dog vaccination responsibilities will shift to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, adding that approval for 900,000 rabies vaccine doses has been granted, with shortages expected to ease within 15 days.
At the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Dhaka, measles vaccine supply has stabilised after emergency intervention. Superintendent Dr FA Asma Khan said the hospital now vaccinates 1,200-1,400 patients daily, with over 300 vials supplied.
In the last 24 hours, from 8am Tuesday to 8am yesterday, seven more children have died from measles and measles-like symptoms, bringing the total death toll to 324 since 15 March.
