Warned interim govt at least 10 times over measles vaccine shortage since 2024: Unicef

Infographic: TBS

Highlights

• Bangladesh typically procures 7cr vaccines annually
• Only 1.78cr were bought in 2025
• Delay in vaccine procurement not due to lack of funds: Unicef
• Delay caused by shift to open bidding
• Open bidding not suitable for urgent vaccine procurement, Unicef says

Unicef has said it repeatedly warned Bangladesh's interim government about an impending measles vaccine shortage since 2024, sending multiple letters and holding at least 10 meetings with officials, but timely action was not taken due to changes in the procurement process.

The disclosure came during a press conference titled "Press Conference on Measles Outbreak Situation and Ongoing Response Efforts", held today (20 May) at Unicef Bangladesh's JPG Conference Room in the capital. Speaking at the event, Unicef Bangladesh Representative Rana Flowers outlined the sequence of warnings and explained how delays in procurement contributed to the crisis.

Flowers said Unicef had formally alerted the health ministry through at least five to six letters during the interim government period, alongside repeated discussions in around 10 separate meetings.

"From 2024 across 2025 into 2026 we sent letters and we had 10 different meetings. Signalling this was a problem and signalling that the order for the vaccines needed to be given. They could not," Flowers said.

Unicef data shows that Bangladesh typically procures around 7 crore vaccines annually. However, during the crisis period last year, only 1.78 crore routine Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) vaccines were brought into the country between August and November (of 2025) through Unicef's pre-financing mechanism – less than one-third of the required amount.

"The vaccines we brought were through Unicef pre-financing, and the government reimbursed the cost in April 2026," Unicef said.

Welcoming the government's decision to investigate the vaccine shortage and related child deaths, Flowers said Unicef would support the process. "Unicef stands with the truth and evidence. That is what we will provide," she said.

According to her, the delay was not due to a lack of funds. "The funding was provided by the Ministry of Finance and was already in the budget," she noted. Instead, she attributed the delay to decisions regarding procurement methods, particularly the shift towards open bidding.

Flowers explained that while open tendering is generally transparent, it is not suitable for urgent vaccine procurement. "Open bidding takes at least a year, even in the most efficient cases. Vaccines are highly specialised products and require advance planning with manufacturers," she said.

On procurement, Flowers reiterated that Unicef operates a global supply system that ensures quality and cost efficiency. "We procure WHO-approved vaccines directly from manufacturers, ensuring safety and effectiveness. Because of our scale, we can secure better prices than individual countries," she said, adding that Unicef does not profit from vaccine procurement.

She cited international examples, including procurement challenges in the Philippines, to illustrate the risks of relying solely on open bidding for vaccines.

Flowers added that vaccine procurement requires long-term planning, including production lead times, logistics, cold chain readiness, and nationwide distribution systems. "This is not something that can be fixed overnight. It is a complex process that must be anticipated well in advance," she said.

She also revealed that Ted Chaiban, Unicef's deputy executive director, had raised concerns about the vaccine shortage during a meeting with Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs during his visit in August last year.

Despite the challenges, she highlighted a major success in the emergency response: more than 18 million children have now been vaccinated against measles in a nationwide campaign. "That is a significant achievement. Reaching 18 million children in just over a month is extraordinary, and we are already seeing the results – transmission is slowing, and the outbreak is coming under control," she said.

She emphasised that the rapid scale-up of vaccination helped flatten the outbreak curve, particularly in high-risk districts. "Vaccines are doing what they are meant to do – prevent further spread. Ensuring availability across the country was essential," she added.

However, Flowers cautioned that outbreaks do not occur suddenly and are usually the result of systemic gaps. She pointed out that an estimated 500,000 children miss routine immunisation every year in Bangladesh, creating vulnerability to vaccine-preventable diseases like measles.

"Many parents told us they delayed or skipped vaccinations due to work or other constraints, and later faced tragic consequences," she said, stressing the importance of strengthening routine immunisation and community awareness.

She also raised concerns about infections among children under nine months, who are not yet eligible for measles vaccination. "This indicates rapid transmission within communities and highlights the need for better preventive measures, including isolation of infected children and improved infant nutrition," she said. 

Flowers noted that exclusive breastfeeding rates – currently around 56.2% – need improvement to enhance immunity among infants.

A journalist asked whether Flowers actually used the phrase "For God's sake" while warning Interim government's health adviser Nurjahan Begum.

Earlier on 30 April, Science Magazine quoted Flowers as telling the adviser: "For God's sake … don't do this."

Unicef's Chief of Communications and Advocacy, Miguel Mateos Munoz, said "Regardless of the expression, which is meaningless, the point on the outages was raised by Unicef early last year, not on 10th February."

Responding to queries about Unicef's remarks, Professor Dr Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the interim government's Ministry of Health, told The Business Standard that he would not issue any official statement at this stage.

"As the High Court has directed the formation of an investigation committee, we will submit all relevant documents to the committee. We have all the necessary documents," he said.