ChamberChild Vaccination: EPI Schedule for Bangladesh
Vaccination is one of the safest and most powerful ways to protect a child, and Bangladesh runs one of the most successful immunisation programmes in the region. The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) offers free, life-saving vaccines at government health centres, community clinics and EPI outreach sessions across the country. Following the schedule on time gives a baby strong protection against diseases that once killed or disabled many children. This guide explains what is given, when, and why.
What is the EPI programme?
EPI is the national childhood immunisation programme run by the Government of Bangladesh. It provides vaccines free of charge and aims to protect every child against several preventable diseases before the age of two. Vaccines are given at fixed ages so that protection builds up exactly when a baby is most vulnerable. You will be given an EPI card that records each dose; keep it safe and bring it to every visit.
What is the vaccination schedule by age?
The routine schedule follows the child's age. While the exact details are confirmed by your vaccinator, the broad timetable is:
- At birth: BCG (against tuberculosis) and the first dose of oral polio and hepatitis B.
- 6 weeks: first dose of pentavalent vaccine, PCV (pneumococcal), oral polio and fractional IPV.
- 10 weeks: second dose of pentavalent, PCV and oral polio.
- 14 weeks: third dose of pentavalent, PCV, oral polio and the second fractional IPV.
- 9 months: first dose of measles-rubella (MR) vaccine.
- 15 months: second dose of measles-rubella (MR) vaccine.
Always follow the dates written on your child's EPI card and the advice of the vaccinator at your centre.
Which diseases do these vaccines prevent?
Each vaccine guards against serious illness. The pentavalent vaccine alone protects against five diseases: diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, hepatitis B and Hib (a major cause of meningitis and pneumonia). BCG reduces severe tuberculosis, polio vaccines prevent lifelong paralysis, PCV protects against pneumococcal pneumonia and meningitis, and the MR vaccine prevents measles and rubella. Together they shield a child from infections that can cause death, brain damage, deafness or disability.
What if my child misses a dose?
Missing a dose is common and is not a disaster. Catch-up doses can almost always be given, and your child does not have to start the whole course again. Take the EPI card to the nearest health centre or EPI session as soon as you can, and the vaccinator will resume the schedule from where it stopped. The aim is to complete all doses, even if a little late, rather than to leave a child unprotected.
How do I manage mild fever after a vaccine?
Mild fever, fussiness, or slight swelling and redness at the injection site are common for a day or two after vaccination and show the immune system is responding. To keep your child comfortable:
- Offer extra breastfeeds or fluids and let the child rest.
- Use a clean, cool cloth on the sore spot; do not rub or massage it.
- For fever or discomfort, a weight-based dose of paracetamol can help, but only on a doctor's or health worker's advice; you can look it up in our medicine directory.
Never give adult medicines or guess the dose. If you keep a prescription, our free prescription tool helps you store it clearly.
When should you see a doctor?
Most reactions are mild and settle on their own. See a doctor if fever is high or lasts more than two days, if the child is unusually drowsy or refusing all feeds, or if there is a large, hot, spreading swelling at the injection site. Seek emergency care immediately for a fit (convulsion), difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or lips, or a rash with collapse soon after a vaccine, as these rare reactions need urgent treatment. A qualified paediatrician can be found through our list of registered doctors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are EPI vaccines really free?
Yes. EPI vaccines are provided free of charge by the Government of Bangladesh at government health centres, community clinics and outreach sessions. You should not have to pay for the routine childhood vaccines on the schedule.
Is it safe to vaccinate my child when they have a mild cold?
A mild cold without high fever is usually not a reason to delay vaccination. If your child has a high fever or is seriously unwell, the vaccinator may ask you to come back in a few days. When in doubt, ask the health worker.
Do vaccines cause autism or serious harm?
No. Large studies have found no link between vaccines and autism. The benefits of protecting your child from deadly diseases far outweigh the small risk of mild, short-lived side effects.
What should I do if I lose the EPI card?
Visit your nearest EPI centre; staff can often check records and issue a replacement so the schedule continues correctly. You can find more child-health guidance in our collection of health tips.
This article is for general health education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice; please consult a qualified doctor or your EPI centre about your own child.