Govt approves wider vaccination prog

Staff Reporter :

On Tuesday, the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) recommended approval of a major procurement proposal for vaccines under the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) for the current fiscal year (2025-26).

Through UNICEF, the Health Services Division placed the proposal to procure vaccines through the Direct Procurement Method (DPM), the longstanding development partner supporting Bangladesh’s national immunisation programme.

The Approval came from the 46th meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) in this year held at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at Bangladesh Secretariat with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, the Finance Adviser said that the total contract value stands at Taka 419.97 crore, to be executed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Regarding the procurement of vaccines under the EPI, he said the vaccines would be procured through UNICEF due to strict quality specifications.

“If purchased openly, expiry-related and quality-control issues may arise. UNICEF procures vaccines for about 180 countries; we will procure through them with a nominal service fee,” he added.

Officials said the procurement will help maintain uninterrupted vaccine availability nationwide, ensuring timely routine immunization services for children and mothers.
The committee endorsed the proposal following scrutiny of all relevant procedures.