Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Sept 14, 2025 (BSS) – Director General (DG) of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Professor Dr Md Abu Jafor today said that some 4.90 crore children across the country will be vaccinated against typhoid from October 12.

He disclosed this while addressing a press conference at the DGHS conference room in Mohakhali.

The DGHS DG said that there are some typhoid vaccines available in the market, this particular vaccine is good quality and certified by the World Health Organization (WHO).

He said the vaccination campaign will continue for 10 days from October 12 at schools and colleges in Dhaka and across all districts and upazilas.

Later, vaccines will be administered for 10 days through union-level centres from November 1, he added.

Registration for vaccination has been ongoing at schools and colleges nationwide since August 1. Registration is being done using birth certificate information through the website (www.vexepi.gov.bd).

Children with registration can take the vaccine from any centre from October 12, said the DG, adding that vaccination centres will remain open from 9 am to 2 pm and adequate manpower have already been deployed by the government.

The DG said typhoid is a communicable disease, and washing hands properly before meals and after using the toilet can help prevent this disease. However, it can also be transmittable in other ways and a serious disease.

He said all children aged 9 months to less than 15 years across the country will be administered with the typhoid vaccine.

Children without birth certificates will also be vaccinated, but before that they have to furnish with detailed information to the centre officials, he said.

Mentioning that typhoid is one of the leading infectious diseases in Bangladesh, the DGHS chief said that typhoid fever is caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi, which usually spreads through contaminated food and water.

He said the TCV (Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine) is both safe and effective in preventing typhoid. Globally, children have been receiving this vaccine without adverse reactions, while countries like Pakistan and Nepal have already introduced it.

The TCV vaccine used in Bangladesh is WHO pre-qualified. Minor side effects such as redness, swelling or slight pain at the injection site, mild fever, headache, fatigue, or muscle pain may occur but usually subside naturally.

During the vaccination campaign, the DGHS DG said, all pre-primary to class nine students in schools will receive the vaccine at their respective institutions. Children aged 9 months to less than 15 years who are not in schools will be vaccinated at existing EPI fixed and outreach centres, he added.

For children aged 2 years and below, he said, a 0.5 ml dose will be administered into the outer mid-thigh muscle, while for those over 2 years, the same dose will be injected into the outer upper arm (deltoid muscle).

He said children between 9 months and less than 15 years are most vulnerable to typhoid in Bangladesh, and one dose of TCV at this age provides strong protection. That is why children in this age group will be targeted in the campaign.

DGHS Additional Director General (Admin and Planning), Director (Administration) Dr Md Abu Hanif, EPI Line Director Dr Md Abdullah Al Murad and senior officials of DGHS were present at the press conference.