Cholera vaccination campaign to begin August 22

A nationwide preventive oral cholera vaccination campaign will begin on August 22, targeting 5.175 million people in 14 high-risk upazilas and police stations, health authorities said.

The Preventive Oral Cholera Vaccination Campaign 2026 was formally announced at a press briefing at the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) auditorium on Wednesday (August 19) by Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain.

The first phase of vaccination will run from August 22 to September 21, followed by the second dose from September 26 to October 25. Two doses, administered at least 14 days apart, are required for full protection.

People aged one year and above, except pregnant women, will be eligible for the free vaccine. Vaccination will be available daily from 8am to 5pm at designated centres.

Under the campaign, around 1.17 million people in four DSCC police stations—Lalbagh, Gandaria, Kadamtali and Kamrangirchar—will receive the vaccine through 192 centres across 17 wards.

The campaign will also cover Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Khilkhet and Tejgaon police stations under Dhaka North City Corporation, along with selected areas of Munshiganj, Kishoreganj, Narayanganj and Brahmanbaria districts.

At the launch, Health Minister Sakhawat Hossain said cholera had historically caused devastating outbreaks but was now largely under control. However, recent outbreaks warranted continued vigilance, he said, urging all stakeholders to help ensure the campaign’s success.

He also praised the DSCC for its recent efforts to control dengue.

Experts said the oral vaccine is highly effective in reducing the severity of cholera, a disease caused by Vibrio cholerae, and can provide protection for several years. They stressed that vaccination should be accompanied by safe water use and proper hygiene practices.

The programme was attended by senior health officials and representatives from DSCC, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and icddr,b, among others.