Govt approves Tk412.71 crore vaccine procurement through UNICEF for EPI

The government has approved the procurement of vaccines worth Tk412.71 crore through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for Bangladesh’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in the 2025–26 fiscal year.

The approval came at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP), chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury at the Cabinet Division on Wednesday.

According to officials, the Health Services Division submitted the proposal seeking approval to procure the vaccines directly from UNICEF, which serves as the designated international procurement agency for EPI vaccines.

The vaccines will support the country’s nationwide immunisation programme, a key public health initiative aimed at protecting children and other vulnerable populations from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Following a review of the proposal, the committee approved the purchase under the direct procurement method, citing UNICEF’s recognised role in ensuring the quality, availability and timely delivery of vaccines for national immunisation programmes.

Officials said the procurement will help maintain an uninterrupted supply of vaccines throughout the fiscal year, facilitating the continued implementation of Bangladesh’s immunisation efforts and contributing to broader public health goals.

The approval reflects the government's continued emphasis on strengthening preventive healthcare services and sustaining the achievements made in routine immunisation coverage across the country.