Bangladesh to stop receiving vaccine donations after 2029: EPI

Due to its transition from a low-income country to a lower-middle-income country, Bangladesh will no longer receive vaccine donations after 2029. According to the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), the country will continue to receive international donations for various vaccines until 2029. However, starting in 2030, the government will have to procure all vaccines from its own budget.

Dr. S.M. Abdullah Al Murad, Line Director of the Health Directorate's EPI program, told Views Bangladesh, “Currently, the government administers vaccines against 11 diseases under the expanded immunization program. Every year, Bangladesh receives free vaccine supplies as donations from various developed countries. However, as a lower-middle-income country, Bangladesh will lose this benefit.”

“After 2029, the country will no longer receive donated vaccines internationally, and from 2030 onwards, the government will need to purchase all vaccines using its own funds,” Dr. Murad added.

The EPI program currently provides vaccines against 11 diseases, with the COVID-19 vaccine being one of the most significant in recent times. Dr. Murad assured that there is no cause for concern regarding COVID-19 vaccines despite the upcoming changes. He mentioned that Bangladesh still has an adequate supply of COVID-19 vaccines.

“Additionally, the interim government has already issued directives for birth registration to facilitate COVID-19 vaccination for students aged 12–18. Vaccination is also prioritized for pregnant women, healthcare workers in direct contact with patients, individuals aged 18 and above with compromised immunity, and those aged 60 and above,” he stated.

According to EPI data, of the stored vaccines, 334,140 doses of Pfizer Bivalent must be used by November 25, 2025, while 3,202,560 doses of Pfizer Monovalent remain, which are also set to expire in November 2025.