Schools to Administer Typhoid Vaccine to Students from Pre-Primary to Class IX Says DGHS Director

Students from pre-primary to Class IX will receive typhoid vaccines at schools, as announced by the Director of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Professor Dr. Md. Abu Jafor. This initiative is part of the “Typhoid Vaccination Campaign 2025,” launched on October 12, 2025, in Dhaka.

National Campaign Overview

The campaign aims to provide free typhoid vaccines to students from pre-primary to ninth grade in schools nationwide. It will run until November 13, 2025. Children between nine months and 15 years will also be included, with vaccinations available at community-level EPI centers for those not attending school.

Key Participants and Sponsors

• Chief Guest: Professor Dr. Md. Abu Jafor, DGHS Director General
• Maple Leaf International School Principal: Ali Karam Reza
• Events attended by officials from Dhaka North City Corporation and the Directorate General of Family Planning

Program Goals and Statistics

The campaign plans to vaccinate approximately five crore children to curb the high prevalence of typhoid in Bangladesh. Typhoid, caused by Salmonella Typhi, primarily spreads through contaminated water and unhygienic conditions. The disease predominantly affects children between nine months and 15 years, who remain highly vulnerable.

A study from 2021 indicated that typhoid was responsible for about 8,000 deaths in Bangladesh that year, with 68% of fatalities among children under 15.

Vaccine Details

The Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) is validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its safety and efficacy. This vaccine has been implemented in other countries, such as Pakistan and Nepal, with significant success in building long-lasting immunity.

Minor side effects like redness, mild pain, fever, or fatigue may appear post-vaccination, but these typically resolve on their own.

Global Health Concerns

With drug-resistant typhoid becoming a worldwide concern, vaccinations can significantly reduce infection rates. This also helps minimize the overuse of antibiotics.

Procedure and Certification

Vaccination registration can be completed via the vaxepi.gov.bd website using a 17-digit birth registration number. Special measures will be taken for those without certificates to ensure all eligible children are vaccinated.

The vaccine’s halal certification by the Saudi Arabia Halal Center ensures it does not contain any components forbidden in Islamic law.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Professor Jafor expressed hope that the typhoid vaccination campaign would be effective like past immunization efforts against polio, hepatitis B, measles, rubella, and neonatal tetanus. He urged nationwide cooperation to achieve the campaign’s success.