DHAKA, May 8, 2024 (BSS) - Health and Family Welfare Minister Professor Dr
Samanta Lal Sen today said Bangladesh has made outstanding successes in
expansion of vaccination coverage across the country.

"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been conferred with the prestigious
"Vaccine Hero" award in recognition of Bangladesh's outstanding success in
vaccination," he told a programme in the auditorium of CIRDAP here.

President of Jatiya Press Club Farida Yasmin, Deputy Representative to UNICEF
in Bangladesh Emma Brigham, Healthcare professionals, representatives from
different local and international organizations, among others, addressed the
programme with Chairman of Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum for Health and
Wellbeing Prof Dr. Md Abdul Aziz, MP, in the chair.

Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum for Health and well-being organised the
programme titled "High Level meeting for strengthening immunization programme
for achieving universal health coverage".
 
The health minister said like success of vaccination coverage, Bangladesh
also made remarkable progress in the health sector in the past 15 years as
the Awami League-led government has implemented massive development
programmes in the country.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is firmly committed to bring all children under
the vaccination coverage, he said.
 
"Despite shortage of manpower, all healthcare professionals are sincerely
working to fulfill the commitment of the Prime Minister. We are taking
initiatives to recruit adequate number of healthcare professionals."

Emma Brigham said: "Vaccines are among the greatest advances
in global health and development. It is the safest and most cost-
effective method to save children's lives and Bangladesh is no
stranger to its success story."

She said it has already been 45 years since Bangladesh launched the Expanded
Programme on Immunization and the programme has propelled
significant immunization efforts in Bangladesh, now reaching 84 per
cent of infants with full childhood vaccines.

The UNICEF top official also said both maternal and neonatal tetanus and
polio were eradicated in 2008 and 2014 respectively.
 
"We will continue to work with parliamentarians, provide our assistance to
EPI, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and civil society
organizations to support the upcoming new vaccine campaigns, the routine
introduction of these new vaccines, and strengthen the health system," she
continued.

Immunization is globally recognized as one of the best public health
investment, other speakers said, adding that it is a vital component of
primary healthcare reaches more people than any other health or social
service.

It (immunization) benefits individuals communities, countries and the world,
they added.