Nationwide Typhoid Vaccination Campaign for protecting every child

Staff Reporter :

For the first time in Bangladesh, the National Typhoid Vaccination Campaign began on Sunday (October 12).

Under this campaign, all children aged 9 months to under 15 years will receive one dose of the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) free of cost.

Dhaka Ahsania Mission Health Sector is supporting this important public health initiative of the government, playing a key role in implementing the vaccination activities across different regions of the country.

For the first time at the national level, around 50 million children will be vaccinated through a single campaign. Even children without birth certificates will be able to receive the vaccine – ensuring that no child is left behind.

The national inauguration ceremony was held this morning at the Sir Salimullah Muslim Orphanage.

The Chief Guest of the event was Health and Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan Begum, while Sharmin S. Murshid, Adviser to the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, attended as the Special Guest.

According to a press release from Dhaka Ahsania Mission, the organization is initially implementing the vaccination campaign in 36 wards, including 6 wards under Dhaka South City Corporation, 3 wards under Dhaka North City Corporation, and 27 wards under Cumilla City Corporation.

The target is to vaccinate approximately 131,721 children across 420 schools and madrasas.

Currently, vaccination campaigns are underway in 28 schools and madrasas. Later, the programme will expand to the community level through both permanent and temporary vaccination centers.

Additionally, Ahsania Mission’s health sector supervisors are also monitoring the vaccination campaign conducted under the Rajshahi City Corporation.

A total of 237 health workers from the organization are engaged in achieving the nationwide target.

The World Health Organization (WHO)-approved Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) is a safe, advanced, and effective vaccine that boosts the body’s immunity.

A single dose for children aged 9 months to under 15 years can prevent up to 85% of typhoid infections, ensuring long-term protection for children.

According to the Ministry of Health, children from pre-primary to grade nine will be vaccinated in schools, madrasas, and equivalent educational institutions until October 30.

Later, all children aged 9 months to under 15 years, including out-of-school children, will be vaccinated at various permanent and temporary vaccination centers until November 13.

Government and non-government organizations have also joined the effort to ensure vaccination for street children and those living in urban slums.

The government aims to vaccinate 49 million children under this program. So far, 16.8 million children have been registered, and after registration, the vaccination certificate can be downloaded directly.

Experts believe that successful implementation of this national initiative will significantly reduce typhoid infections in the country and bring a new level of improvement and protection in child health.