First-ever typhoid vaccination campaign begins nationwide

The month-long typhoid vaccination campaign began simultaneously across the country on Sunday.

The typhoid vaccination campaign was inaugurated by Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum at the Salimullah Muslim Orphanage in the capital’s Azimpur area at 9:20am.  

The vaccination will take place in every school from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm for the next ten days. 

As per the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the government is providing typhoid vaccines free of cost to about five crore children of the country aged between 9 months and 15 years.

Registration has been going on for the vaccination campaign for the last month, but children can still receive the vaccines by directly visiting vaccination centres without prior registration.

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Health, Professor Dr. Md Sayedur Rahman, attended the launching of the vaccination campaign at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College. 

Under this campaign, each of the five crore targeted children will receive a single, highly effective dose of the typhoid vaccine free of cost, he said.

During the campaign, all students from pre-primary (play, nursery, and kindergarten) to grade nine or equivalent (including madrasa and English-medium institutions) will receive the vaccine at their respective educational institutions. Children aged 9 months to below 15 years who are not enrolled in schools will be vaccinated at community-level EPI centres free of cost.

In coordination with the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Islamic Foundation, English-medium schools, Qawmi madrasas, Scouts, and Girl Guides, have taken necessary steps to ensure the successful implementation of the vaccination programme.

Moreover, in collaboration with the Department of Social Services, the NGO Affairs Bureau, and various NGOs, special arrangements have been made to vaccinate underprivileged children, those living in Bede Palli, tea gardens, orphanages, juvenile development centres, street children, and children residing in brothel areas.

The DGHS chief said the typhoid vaccine is very safe. Nevertheless, committees have been formed at district, upazila, and city corporation levels to tackle any possible adverse events following immunization (AEFI). Members of all committees have been trained, while the AEFI kit box and necessary medicines have been supplied to all levels, to ensure that every child receives the typhoid vaccine safely.