Nationwide Typhoid vaccination campaign to begin October 12

The Ministry of Health has announced that a month-long nationwide Typhoid vaccination campaign–2025 will begin on October 12, targeting around 50 million children across the country.

Speaking at a press conference at the Health Ministry on Thursday, Dr. Md. Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor of the Ministry, said the campaign aims to significantly reduce typhoid-related illnesses and deaths among children.

Under the campaign, students from pre-primary (Play, Nursery, Kindergarten) to Grade Nine/equivalent, including Madrasas and English medium schools, will receive vaccines at their schools. Children aged 9 months to under 15 years who are not enrolled in school will receive free vaccination at EPI (Expanded Program on Immunization) centers in their communities.

Dr. Rahman noted that the campaign is being implemented with the cooperation of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Social Welfare, and organizations including the Islamic Foundation, Qawmi Madrasas, Scouts, and Girls Guides.

Special provisions have also been made for disadvantaged children, Bede communities, tea garden children, orphans, children in development centers, street children, and those in red-light areas.

The EPI-administered vaccine is WHO-approved and fully safe, containing both protein and sugar components for better immunity. Dr. Rahman emphasized that the Bangladesh government ensures 100% safety and efficacy before approving any vaccine. The vaccine is halal-certified by the Saudi Halal Center, and has been successfully used in Pakistan, Nepal, and Mumbai, India, with no adverse reactions reported among children.

Mild side effects such as temporary pain, slight fever, or fatigue may occur, while fainting due to fear is possible in rare cases, known medically as mass psychogenic illness, which is not caused by the vaccine itself.

Parents can register their children on Vaxepi.gov.bd using a 17-digit birth registration number. As of October 8, 16.8 million children have already registered, and those without birth registration will be accommodated through special arrangements.

Dr. Rahman highlighted that the EPI is one of Bangladesh’s most successful public health programs, vaccinating approximately 4.2 million children annually against life-threatening diseases and potentially saving 100,000 children every year.