Typhoid vaccination campaign begins in Khulna today. Photo: BSS

KHULNA, Oct 12, 2025 (BSS) – Typhoid vaccination campaign for Khulna division was launched at the Khulna Zilla School auditorium today.

Organized by the Divisional Health Office, Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md. Firoz Sarkar inaugurated the event as the chief guest.  

The Divisional Commissioner said the typhoid vaccine is safe, halal, and effective. 
“The vaccines administered under the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) have earned international recognition,” he said. 

“Vaccination has played a key role in ensuring a healthier next generation. Typhoid is a highly contagious disease, and the government is working relentlessly to eliminate it,” he stated.

He also emphasized the role of the media in raising awareness during the campaign, urging journalists to help ensure that no child is left out. 

He called upon all to ignore misinformation and voluntarily bring children to vaccination centers. 
“Health authorities and all relevant stakeholders must work together to disseminate accurate information about the vaccine,” he added.

According to officials, the national campaign aims to vaccinate around 5 crore across Bangladesh. 
In Khulna Division, approximately 43 lakh children will be vaccinated both through educational institutions and community-based centers. 

Of these, 28.9 lakh children will receive the vaccine in about 10,000 schools, while 13.8 lakh children will be vaccinated in community centers.

Under the EPI, the nationwide campaign will run from October 12, with the first two weeks (October 12–30) focusing on schools and permanent centers, followed by community-level vaccination (November 1–13). 

All children aged nine months to under 15 years will receive a single dose of the vaccine.

To register, parents must provide their child’s 17-digit birth registration number at www.vaxepi.gov.bd. For those without a birth certificate, special arrangements will be made to ensure vaccination access.

Professor Dr. Sheikh Saidul Haque, Additional Director General (Planning & Development) of the Directorate General of Health Services, Md. Safiul Alam, Joint Secretary (Public Health & Project Implementation); and Dr. Md. Arifur Rahman, representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), addressed as special guests. 

Dr. Md. Mujibur Rahman, Acting Divisional Director of Health, Khulna, presided over the event.

Earlier, Divisional Commissioner and also the Administrator of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Md. Firoz Sarkar also inaugurated the campaign in the city area at Khalishpur Collegiate Girls’ School auditorium.

Within the KCC area, the campaign targets 172,370 children across 565 schools and community centers. 

The vaccination drive, running for four weeks, will be conducted by 252 vaccinators, 350 volunteers, 62 first-line supervisors, 8 second-line supervisors, and teams responsible for cold chain and IT management.