Dhaka, May 4 -- Amid mounting criticism over child deaths from measles and a severe shortage of essential immunisations, the government has announced that a large shipment of 10 types of vaccines is expected to arrive soon.

Health Services Division Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury confirmed that the first cargo flight is scheduled to land on May 5, with subsequent shipments arriving in phases.

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain and other senior officials are expected to receive the first consignment.

Data from the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) reveals a critical supply gap.

The monthly demand for the Pentavalent vaccine is 10 million doses, but the central stock is currently zero.

For the PCV (pneumonia) vaccine,...