Bangladesh Launches Nationwide Typhoid Vaccination Campaign

On October 12, 2025, Bangladesh initiated its first nationwide typhoid vaccination campaign, targeting approximately 50 million children aged nine months to under 15 years. The campaign, part of the government's Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), aims to administer the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) free of charge. This month-long initiative will run until November 13, 2025, and is designed to combat the rising threat of drug-resistant typhoid strains in South Asia.

Nationwide Campaign Launches Tomorrow for Typhoid VaccinationAl Jazeera (website)Over 1.81 Crore Children Registered so Far Out of Targeted 5 Crore in Nationwide InitiativeSchools to Administer Typhoid Vaccine to Students from Pre-Primary to Class IX Says DGHS DirectorNationwide Typhoid Vaccination Campaign Begins Today

The TCV, which is approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), provides protection for up to five years. Health authorities are implementing the vaccination through schools, clinics, and door-to-door outreach, with a focus on urban slums and remote villages. Parents can register their children online using their 17-digit birth registration number, although assistance is available for those without birth certificates. The campaign is supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and aims to significantly reduce typhoid infection rates, which have been exacerbated by antibiotic resistance.

Nationwide Typhoid Vaccination Campaign Launches Tomorrow Across the Country

Typhoid fever, caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacteria, is transmitted through contaminated food and water. It poses a severe health risk, particularly to children, with the World Health Organization reporting that South Asia accounts for nearly 50% of global typhoid cases. In 2021, Bangladesh recorded approximately 478,000 typhoid infections, resulting in over 8,000 deaths, with a significant proportion of fatalities among children. The emergence of ceftriaxone-resistant strains has raised alarms, prompting this preventive vaccination effort.

Al Jazeera (website)Over 1.81 Crore Children Registered so Far Out of Targeted 5 Crore in Nationwide InitiativeNationwide Typhoid Vaccination Campaign Begins TodaySchools to Administer Typhoid Vaccine to Students from Pre-Primary to Class IX Says DGHS DirectorFirst nationwide typhoid vaccination campaign launched

Health and Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan Begum emphasized the urgency of the campaign, stating, “It is shameful that children in our country still die from typhoid.” She expressed optimism that the initiative would mirror past successes in combating diseases like diarrhea and night blindness. Professor Dr. Md Sayedur Rahman, a key figure in the campaign, highlighted the vaccine's safety and efficacy, noting that it is the result of nearly a century of research.

First nationwide typhoid vaccination campaign launched

While the campaign has garnered widespread support, some health experts have raised concerns about the initial registration numbers, which were reported to be lower than expected. They stress the importance of reaching non-school-going children and ensuring comprehensive community engagement to maximize vaccination coverage.

Nationwide Typhoid Vaccination Campaign Launches Tomorrow Across the Country

Following the initial phase of school vaccinations, the campaign will transition to community centers from November 1 to November 13, 2025. Health officials are committed to ensuring that all eligible children receive the vaccine, regardless of their registration status, to mitigate the impact of typhoid in Bangladesh.

Schools to Administer Typhoid Vaccine to Students from Pre-Primary to Class IX Says DGHS Director

• “Speaking at the event, Adviser Nurjahan Begum said, “It is shameful that children in our country still die from typhoid.” — Nurjahan Begum, Health and Family Welfare Adviser

First nationwide typhoid vaccination campaign launched

• “She described the campaign as a significant milestone for Bangladesh, saying, “This is not just a health project—it’s a turning point for child health protection in the country.” — Sharmin S. Murshid, Adviser to the Ministry of Social Welfare

First nationwide typhoid vaccination campaign launched

This extensive vaccination campaign represents a significant public health initiative in Bangladesh, aiming to protect vulnerable populations and reduce the burden of typhoid fever in the country.