In 2025, Bangladesh is still facing major challenges in vaccinating all children, especially in urban slums, border areas, and tea garden communities. Despite the country’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) reaching 81.6% valid coverage last year, nearly 450,000 children remain under-immunized, with around 70,000 receiving no vaccines at all.

Urban Areas Falling Behind

While rural regions have shown better performance, vaccination coverage in urban areas lags at 79%, with higher rates of children missing full immunization. Urban slums, in particular, show 2.4% zero-dose and nearly 10% under-immunized children—figures that experts say are alarming for a country with a growing urban population.

Zero-Dose Children in Focus

Special efforts are now being made to reach “zero-dose” children—those who haven’t received even a single vaccine. Targeted outreach is underway across 34 low-performing municipalities and in over 2,000 sub-blocks across 27 districts. Eight major city corporations are also being prioritized.

Support from Global Health Partners

UNICEF, WHO, and Gavi have stepped in during World Immunization Week 2025, pledging continued support to help Bangladesh boost its immunization rate. Their support includes digital tracking systems, community mobilization, and cold chain upgrades to preserve vaccine effectiveness.