Government on Wednesday approved Tk 412.71 crore to procure measles vaccines through UNICEF for the current fiscal year.
The approval came at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Procurement held at the Secretariat on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Finance Ministry.
Health authorities said 66,170 people have been hospitalized with measles since March 15, while 62,292 patients have recovered and been discharged.
The vaccine procurement comes amid growing concern over a nationwide measles outbreak and reports of vaccine shortages. The issue drew public attention after UNICEF's representative in Bangladesh, Rana Flowers, warned government officials about an impending shortage of vaccines.
According to media reports, UNICEF sent multiple letters to the Health Ministry and held several meetings with government officials regarding vaccine supplies. One letter sent to then Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum on February 10 highlighted the risk of an imminent vaccine shortage.
Health data show that 92 people have died from confirmed measles since March 15, while another 539 deaths were reported among patients showing measles symptoms, bringing the total death toll linked to the outbreak to 631.
Until 2024, Bangladesh procured vaccines directly through UNICEF, largely using donor-funded support. In 2025, the then interim government shifted vaccine procurement to an open tender process under the revenue budget, a move that later sparked debate over vaccine supply management.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
