Bangladesh Launches Nationwide Typhoid Vaccination Campaign to Protect 49 Million Children

On October 12, 2025, Bangladesh took a significant step in its public health efforts by launching the country's first-ever nationwide typhoid vaccination campaign. The ambitious drive aims to immunize 49 million children and adolescents against the deadly disease.

Starting at 9 AM, students across 10,000 educational institutions began receiving free doses of the typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) as part of the month-long initiative. Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum, who inaugurated the campaign, expressed shame that children in Bangladesh still die from typhoid and expressed confidence that the country will succeed in eradicating the disease through this vaccination drive.

The vaccine, developed by the Serum Institute of India, was provided to Bangladesh through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Authorities have assured the public of the vaccine's safety and efficacy, citing its successful use in other countries like Pakistan, Nepal, and India's Mumbai.

Over the next 10 days, only school students will be vaccinated, after which the drive will expand to include children not enrolled in schools at permanent and satellite EPI centers. Doctors have advised parents to ensure their children are well-fed before receiving the vaccine.

With this landmark campaign, Bangladesh takes a crucial step towards protecting its youth from the scourge of typhoid and improving the country's overall public health outcomes.