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Vaccination Coverage and Challenges in Achieving Universal Immunization in Bangladesh

Students & Supervisors

Student Authors
Arizit Chaki Artha
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Engineering, FST
Protik Biswas
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Engineering, FST
Supervisors
Md. Mortuza Ahmmed
Associate Professor, Faculty, FST

Abstract

Bangladesh has made important progress in vaccination through the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). However, full coverage has not yet been achieved, with rural and low incoming populations continuing to lag behind national targets. This study explores the vaccination coverage and related health indicators in Bangladesh over the past 30 years (1994 to 2023). To understand long-term trends, identify critical years of progress and decline, and explore connections between Health Equity Index, Disease Prevalence Rate, Nutritional Status, Access to Services, and Immunization Coverage. Using a 30-year secondary dataset from government sources, NGOs, and Unisafe. Five key health indicators including Health Equity Index, Disease Prevalence Rate, Nutritional Status, Access to Services, and Immunization Coverage were statistically analyzed. We used time series, correlation, and linear regression methods to uncover sustained patterns, equity effects, and gaps in immunization sustainability that previous studies had not fully measured. Immunization coverage was highest at 96.48% in 2006 and 95.98% in 2021 but dropped sharply to 61.66% in 2007 and 72.07% in 2023. Disease prevalence stayed high in some years, such as 29.45% in 2008 and 27.16% in 2019, showing vaccination progress did not always reduce disease equally. Health equity fluctuated, falling to 0.55 in 1998 and 0.58 in 2020, pointing to ongoing inequality in service access. Correlation analysis showed weak connections between vaccination coverage and disease prevalence, highlighting that health equity and access also influence disease outcomes. These results confirmed Bangladesh’s strong immunization achievements but reveal continuing gaps, especially in rural areas. The data show that achieving stable and equitable vaccination coverage remains a challenge. Bangladesh has successfully improved vaccination but must focus more on equity, outreach to remote areas, and sustained policies to achieve universal immunization.

Keywords

vaccination immunization health equity disease burden universal coverage

Publication Details

  • Type of Publication:
  • Conference Name: 7th International Conference on Integrated Sciences (ICIS 2025)
  • Date of Conference: 25/10/2025 - 25/10/2025
  • Venue: Eastern University Campus, Ashulia, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Organizer: Eastern University, Bangladesh
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