The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) has warned that declining vaccination coverage could increase the risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Bangladesh. In a statement released on Thursday, the organization emphasized that vaccines should be viewed not only as tools for preventing infectious diseases but also as a key strategy to reduce antibiotic use, curb drug-resistant infections, and protect public health. The warning came alongside a new policy brief from the Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership (GARP), led by ICDDR,B and One Health Trust, highlighting the critical role of vaccines in reducing infections and antibiotic consumption.

The policy brief, titled “The Importance of Vaccines in Combating Antimicrobial Resistance in Bangladesh,” was developed through consultations among government agencies, researchers, academics, development partners, and animal health experts. It noted that while Bangladesh’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) has achieved major successes, including eliminating neonatal tetanus and polio, recent measles outbreaks reflect declining immunity due to disruptions in routine vaccination and reduced public trust.

The brief recommended maintaining universal child immunization coverage, expanding access to proven AMR-preventive vaccines, and integrating vaccination more effectively into Bangladesh’s national AMR strategy.