Bangladesh is the top recipient of Covid-19 vaccines under Unicef’s Covax program since its first delivery following the start of the pandemic.
Unicef has delivered over 190 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to Bangladesh, and it has received the most vaccines under the global initiative co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the WHO, said a press release issued on Tuesday.
Covax accounts for more than 62% of doses received by Bangladesh, and its goal is to ensure equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines globally.
Covid-19 vaccination started in Bangladesh in February 2021. Unicef delivered the first Covax shipment of vaccines to Bangladesh on 1 June 2021, at a time when only 4% of the population in the country were fully vaccinated.
A year on, with the strong partnership between the government, WHO, Unicef, and other partners, Bangladesh has vaccinated 69% of its population with two doses – a staggering 117 million people, read the press release.
Prof Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora, additional director general at the Directorate General of Health Services, said: “With the committed strong leadership of the prime minister, Bangladesh has shown incredible resilience to face the Covid-19 pandemic.
“With continuous supply of vaccines and hard work of dedicated health workers, we have been able to vaccinate the targeted population without wasting doses.”
Unicef has also supported the government’s Covid-19 response by strengthening the cold chain and ultra-cold chain, delivering critical supplies, generating demand, supporting data management and building capacity for vaccine administration.
These investments will continue to serve the people of Bangladesh for years to come beyond the Covid-19 crisis. They are especially important to keep children safe from vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and polio, read the press release.
“Bangladesh’s ability to absorb and roll out Covid-19 vaccines is a testament to what can be achieved when there is political commitment and an equitable supply of vaccines. The success in getting millions of vaccines quickly and safely into arms in every corner of the country has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Sheldon Yett, Unicef representative to Bangladesh.
Dr Bardan Jung Rana, WHO representative to Bangladesh, said: “Bangladesh with 69% fully vaccinated population is close to achieving the global benchmark of 70% fully vaccinated population by June 2022. The success could not have been possible without Covax support.
“The ongoing pace of vaccination gives us a hope to see the end of Covid-19 as a global health emergency. Let us also not forget that the pandemic is not over anywhere until it’s over everywhere.”
