15 lakh MR vaccines received with UNICEF-Gavi support: Health Minister

Bangladesh has received 1.5 million doses of measles-rubella (MR) vaccine and 90,000 doses of tetanus vaccine with support from UNICEF and Gavi, Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain said on Wednesday (May 6).

Speaking at a press briefing at the VIP gate of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, the minister said the country has so far achieved 93 per cent of its vaccination coverage target under the ongoing immunisation programme.

He said the vaccine shipment was delivered within 24 days, calling it a record in terms of procurement and supply timeline.

The minister also announced that an additional 10.8 million vaccine doses are expected to arrive in the country by May 10, which he said would ensure sufficient stock for about a year.

“There is no disruption in measles vaccination. Necessary steps will be taken if any deterioration in the situation occurs,” he said.

Earlier, a separate shipment of more than 1.5 million IPV vaccines arrived on May 3 under UNICEF support.

The latest consignment arrived at around 11:40am on a Qatar Airways cargo flight. It was formally received by the health minister from UNICEF representative Rana Flowers at the airport.