Typhoid Tika Target: Nationwide Immunization Drive for 50 Million Children
To protect children from typhoid fever, a nationwide vaccination campaign will begin on October 12, aiming to immunize 50 million children across Bangladesh. The campaign will roll out in schools and madrasas first, followed by community centers and urban slum areas.
Children aged 9 months to under 15 years are eligible for the vaccine. So far, nearly 20 million children have already been registered nationwide. Registration is being facilitated through school teachers and online links shared on social media to encourage participation. However, to ensure no child is left behind, the health authorities have instructed vaccination centers to allow children without registration or birth certificates to receive the vaccine.
This information was shared at the National Advocacy Meeting for the Typhoid Vaccination Campaign 2025, held on Tuesday, October 7, at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed Convention Center in Dhaka.
Health Advisor Nur Jahan Begum made a passionate call for national commitment, stating:
"Children are still dying from typhoid, and that is a shame for us. We have managed to control many diseases like diarrhea and night blindness. Yet children continue to die or become disabled from typhoid. This is a preventable disease—its continued toll on our children is a disgrace."
She added:
"We have tackled diarrhea through various means. Yet 70% of children either die from typhoid or suffer permanent damage. This campaign marks the beginning of a new journey. I hope we will be able to protect our children. We’ve seen success through the EPI (Expanded Programme on Immunization), and inshallah, we will see success here as well."
Stressing the importance of outreach, she said:
"In my own home, I haven’t seen any sign of this campaign. I have grandchildren, and even the household staff have children—but no one said anything. That means we haven’t reached every home yet. It is our moral responsibility to ensure not a single child is left out—whether or not they have a birth certificate. We must intensify our awareness efforts."
She also emphasized the need to simplify the registration process so that no one, including domestic workers' children, is excluded.
Speaking at the event, Professor Dr. Sayedur Rahman, Special Health Assistant (with the rank of State Minister), said:
"Our most successful initiative in the health sector has been the immunization program. Typhoid vaccination might also be incorporated into the regular immunization schedule. To expand our capacity, we should engage medical and nursing students, including interns."
The meeting was presided over by Health Secretary Md. Saidur Rahman, and also featured contributions from Director General of the Health Directorate Prof. Dr. Md. Abu Zafar, Additional Secretary of Public Health Division A.T.M. Saiful Islam, Director General of NGO Affairs Bureau Daud Mia, as well as representatives from various government ministries. Dipika Sharma of UNICEF, Rajesh Narwan of WHO, and other international partners also participated.
The entire campaign is being supported by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).
