Students from pre-primary to class IX to get typhoid vaccine at school: DGHS DG

Director General (DG) of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Professor Dr Md Abu Jafor today said that students from pre-primary to class IX across the country will receive free typhoid vaccines at their respective schools till November 13, as the campaign began today.

He said this while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the "Typhoid Vaccination Campaign 2025" at Maple Leaf International School in the capital's Dhanmondi as the chief guest.

The DG said that from today, all children aged between nine months and 15 years across the country will be brought under typhoid vaccination. Out-of-school children will get vaccinated at community-level EPI centres.

"The campaign has started today. No child will be left unvaccinated. Every child under the age of 15 will receive the vaccine wherever they are," he said, adding that around five crore children across the country will be vaccinated within the next one month.

Prof Jafor said that since 1979, the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) under the DGHS of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been working to reduce deaths and disabilities caused by vaccine-preventable diseases among children, adolescents, and women of reproductive age.

"Every year, around 42 lakh children are vaccinated against various life-threatening infectious diseases, preventing nearly one lakh child deaths," he said.

The DGHS chief said typhoid fever is one of the most severe vaccine-preventable diseases in Bangladesh, caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. Bangladesh is among the countries with the highest prevalence of typhoid.

He noted that typhoid spreads mainly through contaminated water, food, and poor hygiene, and children aged between nine months and 15 years are the most vulnerable. "A 2021 study found that around 8,000 people died of typhoid in Bangladesh, of whom about 6,000, or 68 percent, were children under 15," he added.

Presided over by Principal of Maple Leaf International School Ali Karam Reza, the function was also addressed by Chief Executive Officer of Dhaka North City Corporation Zahurul Islam, Director of DGHS Professor Dr Khair Ahmed Chowdhury, and Director of the Directorate General of Family Planning Dr Md Sultan Ahmed.

Professor Jafor said drug-resistant typhoid has now become a global health concern as many common antibiotics are losing their effectiveness. "Therefore, it is possible to reduce the rate of infection and reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics by receiving typhoid vaccination," he said.

In this context, the month-long "Typhoid Vaccination Campaign 2025" has started across the country from today, he added.

The DGHS chief said that the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) is a safe and effective vaccine, tested and approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). "It contains both protein and sugar components, generating long-lasting immunity. The government only uses tested and safe vaccines – not experimental ones," he added.

He said countries like Pakistan and Nepal have already successfully introduced this vaccine. "The vaccine builds long-term immunity among children and reduces the risk of drug-resistant typhoid. Minor reactions such as redness, mild pain, fever, or fatigue may occur after vaccination, which subside naturally," he explained.

The DG also clarified that the vaccine contains no ingredients prohibited under Islamic law, and it has been certified halal by the Saudi Arabia Halal Center.

He said registration for the vaccine can be done easily through the website vaxepi.gov.bd using the 17-digit birth registration number, and the process will continue until the end of the campaign. "Those without birth certificates will be listed separately to ensure vaccination through special arrangements," he added.

He concluded saying, "Vaccination has helped Bangladesh eradicate polio, control hepatitis B, measles, and rubella, and eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus. Likewise, typhoid can be controlled and even eradicated through vaccination."

He sought cooperation from all to make the campaign a success.