Health Adviser Directs Full Assurance for Typhoid Vaccination

Photo: Collected

Staff Correspondent: Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum has emphasized the importance of ensuring complete coverage and administration of the typhoid vaccine.

She stated, “Although the vaccination campaign began later than planned, we are confident of its success.” She made the remarks on Tuesday while delivering the keynote speech at the national advocacy meeting of the Typhoid Vaccination Campaign 2025 held at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed Convention Centre in Shahbagh.

Highlighting that child deaths from typhoid are unacceptable in Bangladesh, the Health Adviser noted that while diseases such as diarrhea and night blindness have been prevented, children continue to suffer and die from typhoid, sometimes with lifelong complications.

The campaign will begin nationwide on October 12, targeting five million children. Any child aged between nine months and 15 years is eligible for vaccination.

Stressing the importance of awareness, Nurjahan Begum said, “Even in my own household, I did not notice the signs of typhoid. There are grandchildren and children of domestic workers, yet no one mentioned it. This indicates that our outreach has not reached every household.”

She added, “It is our moral responsibility to ensure no child is left out. Regardless of birth certificate status, every child must be given the opportunity. Awareness efforts must be intensified.”

She expressed confidence that the program will succeed in protecting children, citing the success of EPI (Expanded Program on Immunization) as a positive precedent. The goal is to achieve 100 percent vaccination coverage, and she highlighted the need to educate the public to prevent misconceptions. Leadership at all levels of society, along with media support, will play a key role in this effort.

Speaking at the event, Professor Dr. Syedur Rahman, Special Assistant (with State Minister status) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said that vaccination programs are among the most successful health initiatives. He added that typhoid vaccination may eventually be integrated into the regular immunization schedule. To strengthen the workforce for vaccination, medical and nursing college students and interns could be involved.

The program was chaired by Health Secretary Md. Saidur Rahman, and discussions were also held by Director General of Health Services Professor Dr. Md. Abu Zafar, Additional Secretary of the Public Health Division A.T.M. Saiful Islam, Director General of the NGO Bureau Dawood Mia, representatives from various government ministries, UNICEF’s Deepika Sharma, and WHO Deputy Representative Rajesh Narwan, along with vaccination officials from across the country.

The typhoid vaccination campaign is supported by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi) and UNICEF.

Nearly two million children have already been registered. Children who arrive without prior registration will still receive the vaccine, though authorities are encouraging registration in advance.