In a decisive move to safeguard public health, the Bangladesh interim government has approved the direct procurement of essential vaccines worth BDT 610.17 crore from UNICEF. The decision to bypass the standard competitive tendering process was finalised on Tuesday, 6 January, during a meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed.
The procurement is intended for the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) during the 2025–2026 fiscal year. By opting for the Direct Procurement Method (DPM), the government aims to ensure an uninterrupted supply of critical vaccines for the nation’s infants and children.
Why Bypass the Competitive Tender?
The Health Services Division provided a comprehensive rationale for selecting UNICEF as the sole supplier without a traditional bidding war. The primary reasons include:
Reliability and Standards: Since the inception of the EPI in Bangladesh, UNICEF has been the primary partner. All vaccines supplied through their network are guaranteed to meet World Health Organization (WHO) quality control standards.
Cold Chain Logistics: Vaccines are exceptionally heat-sensitive. UNICEF maintains a specialized global supply chain that ensures the “cold chain” remains unbroken from the laboratory to the rural clinic.
Cost Advantage: Because UNICEF purchases vaccines in massive global quantities, the price offered to Bangladesh is typically lower than what could be achieved through private commercial tenders.
Funding and Financial Breakdown
The project will be funded by repurposing a surplus from an existing Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan. Initially intended for COVID-19 relief, approximately USD 175.93 million remained unspent. The government has now reallocated USD 49.92 million (approximately BDT 610.17 crore) from this fund for routine childhood vaccinations.
Key Procurement Data:
| Financial Detail | Figures & Sources |
| Total Value in BDT | 610.17 Crore |
| Total Value in USD | $49.92 Million |
| Funding Partner | Asian Development Bank (ADB) |
| Target Period | Fiscal Year 2025–2026 |
| Procurement Method | Direct Procurement Method (DPM) |
Ensuring National Immunisation Coverage
The EPI is a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s healthcare success, protecting millions from diseases such as polio, measles, and rubella. The Health Services Division emphasised that any delay in procurement—often associated with the complexities of open tenders—could lead to life-threatening stockouts. This pre-emptive approval ensures that the 2025–2026 cycle begins with a full inventory of high-quality, WHO-approved doses.
By securing this deal via UNICEF, the government balances the need for fiscal transparency with the urgent necessity of maintaining a robust and reliable national immunisation infrastructure.