This situation demands urgent action—it cannot be allowed to continue.

Why is there a vaccine shortage?

According to discussions with donor agencies, health officials, and public health experts, vaccines were previously purchased through the Health, Population and Nutrition Sector Program (HPNSP) using operational plans. This system allowed line directors to procure vaccines relatively quickly with support from organizations like UNICEF and Gavi.

In August 2025, during the interim government period, the Ministry of Health cancelled the HPNSP and its operational plan system without full preparation. Since then, delays have occurred in drafting new project proposals, securing approvals, appointing project directors, and releasing funds.

Officials say the Director General (DG) of the health department plays a key role in vaccine procurement. After the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024, the DG position remained vacant for some time. Later, Professor Abu Jafar served during the interim period. Following the formation of the BNP government after elections, Professor Prabhat Kumar Biswas was appointed as the new DG. However, even before he took office, the country was already facing a measles vaccine shortage along with rising infections.

EPI Deputy Director Mohammad Shahariar Sazzad said that many of these problems could be resolved if the ministry releases funds quickly.

Shortage of manpower

Alongside vaccine shortages, there is also a serious lack of staff. EPI officials report that health assistants have been recruited in only 27 districts, while the remaining 37 districts face significant shortages. Around 45% of field-level positions are vacant in those areas. These workers are responsible for administering vaccines at designated centers across union-level wards. There are currently about 150,000 vaccination centers across the country.

Worker dissatisfaction has further complicated the situation. For example, porters—who transport vaccines daily from upazila headquarters to vaccination centers—have not been paid for nine months. There are about 1,326 such workers nationwide.

In 2025, health assistants went on strike three times, temporarily shutting down vaccination services across the country. As a result, some areas have staff but no vaccines, others have vaccines but no staff, and in some places, both are lacking.

Rising child deaths

Reports of child deaths due to measles are increasing. Between Saturday noon and Sunday noon, two more children died at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, bringing the monthly total there to five.

At the Infectious Disease Hospital in Mohakhali, 19 children have died from measles this month. Rajshahi Medical College Hospital has reported 12 deaths, while Chapainawabganj recorded three.

Another child from Shariatpur died at a hospital under the North City Corporation in the capital. Altogether, at least 41 child deaths linked to measles have been reported this month—an unusually high number compared to recent years.

Public health expert Abu Jamil Faisal called the situation deeply alarming. He said those responsible for managing the health system must be held accountable. He also stressed the need for a proper investigation into why vaccines ran out and why so many children died, emphasizing that such a crisis must not be allowed to continue.