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DHAKA, July 14, 2026 (BSS) - The government will introduce the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) into the routine Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) from August 1, with all children aged 15 months set to receive a single dose to provide long-term protection against typhoid fever.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued implementation guidelines and preparatory instructions to divisional directors, civil surgeons, chief health officers of city corporations, and upazila health and family planning officers to ensure the smooth rollout of the vaccine nationwide, said a DGHS notification.

According to the notification, following the successful implementation of the National Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine Campaign in 2025, the decision to include the vaccine in the routine immunization programme was taken based on the recommendation of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group and the decision of the Inter-Agency Coordination Committee.

Under the new schedule, all children aged 15 months will receive one dose of TCV at permanent and temporary EPI vaccination centres. The vaccine can also be administered during the same session as the second dose of the Measles-Rubella (MR-2) vaccine.

Field workers have been instructed to identify eligible children through house-to-house visits, determine vaccine requirements, and ensure vaccination during the scheduled sessions.

The directive also emphasized registering children in the Vax: EPI app, downloading vaccination cards, and updating vaccination information through the Smart Health BD/e-Tracker app after vaccine administration.

It also instructed authorities to take measures to facilitate birth registration through coordination meetings at the upazila level.

Regarding vaccine management, the directive stated that five-dose vials will be used under the routine programme, and the vaccine must be stored and transported at a temperature between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius.

In accordance with the multi-dose vial policy, opened vials may be used in subsequent sessions, subject to meeting the prescribed conditions, to minimise vaccine wastage.

The notification also called for strengthening awareness among parents about the typhoid vaccine through house-to-house communication, public announcements, courtyard meetings, and interpersonal communication involving local public representatives, teachers, imams, religious leaders, and community leaders.

The DGHS said the programme must be implemented with the highest priority at all levels concerned to ensure long-term protection of the country's children against typhoid fever.