Bangladesh has officially rolled out a Bangladesh typhoid immunisation drive targeting millions of children, aiming to curb the growing threat of drug-resistant typhoid spreading across South Asia.
The month-long campaign, launched on Sunday, seeks to vaccinate about 50 million children aged nine months to 15 years, using a single dose of the typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV).
Health workers in schools, clinics, and via door-to-door outreach are prioritising urban slums and remote villages, ensuring wide coverage for the children vaccination campaign across Bangladesh.
The World Health Organization (WHO) approved the typhoid vaccine, which provides protection for up to five years and will be distributed free under Bangladesh’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI).
Officials stressed that the campaign responds to the rise of drug-resistant typhoid, which has become a serious public health concern in South Asia, especially in Pakistan and neighboring regions.
Pakistan has struggled with strains resistant to nearly all antibiotics since 2016, leaving very limited treatment options. Bangladesh aims to prevent similar resistance escalation through preventive vaccination.
Health experts note that early immunisation can dramatically reduce typhoid infection rates, preventing serious complications like intestinal perforation, sepsis, and potentially fatal outcomes in children.
Researchers in Bangladesh have recently detected ceftriaxone-resistant typhoid strains, a worrying development as ceftriaxone remains one of the last effective antibiotics against the disease.
“Without urgent preventive action, resistant strains could make typhoid far harder to manage,” said an official from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, supporting the nationwide Bangladesh typhoid immunisation drive.
The TCV campaign is expected to run until November 13. Afterward, the vaccine will be integrated into Bangladesh’s routine immunisation schedule, marking a major step in long-term public health strategy.
Government health adviser Nurjahan Begum inaugurated the drive, describing it as “shameful” that children continue to die from typhoid, while expressing hope Bangladesh could defeat the disease as it did diarrhoea and night blindness.
Health workers emphasize safe administration practices for the typhoid vaccine in Bangladesh, ensuring children of all ages receive protection without adverse effects during the nationwide immunisation effort.
The vaccine has shown a strong safety record in neighboring countries, including Pakistan, Nepal, and India, where large-scale campaigns reported no major side effects among children.
Typhoid, caused by Salmonella Typhi bacteria, spreads through contaminated food and water. Symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and severe complications if left untreated.
Experts warn that the rise of drug-resistant typhoid poses a serious threat, making preventive immunisation campaigns like this critical to protecting children’s health in Bangladesh and South Asia.
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Health is collaborating with local authorities and schools to streamline vaccine distribution, track coverage, and ensure high participation in both urban and rural areas.
“Reaching every child, including those in hard-to-access villages, is essential for the success of the Bangladesh typhoid immunisation drive,” said a senior health ministry official overseeing implementation.
The government has launched an awareness campaign to educate parents about typhoid’s risks, symptoms, and the safety of the vaccine, aiming to maximise participation in the children vaccination campaign.
WHO and Gavi officials praised Bangladesh’s proactive approach, highlighting that preventive immunisation campaigns can significantly reduce disease burden and slow the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Experts argue that controlling drug-resistant typhoid requires not only vaccination but also improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure to prevent further outbreaks.
The campaign combines school-based immunisation, clinic visits, and door-to-door outreach to ensure inclusivity, particularly for children in marginalized communities who may have limited access to health services.
Health authorities are monitoring vaccine coverage daily, focusing on areas with historically low immunisation rates to prevent pockets of susceptibility that could undermine the Bangladesh typhoid immunisation drive.
Public health analysts note that previous vaccination programs, such as those against polio and measles, demonstrate the effectiveness of large-scale campaigns in protecting children and reducing disease transmission.
“Integrating TCV into the regular EPI schedule after this campaign will ensure that future generations are protected from typhoid and resistant strains,” said a vaccine expert advising the Bangladeshi government.
Local communities have expressed relief and optimism about the campaign, recognizing the critical role of vaccination in safeguarding children’s health and preventing avoidable deaths.
Bangladesh’s proactive strategy reflects lessons learned from South Asia’s past typhoid outbreaks, aiming to preemptively tackle the rise of drug-resistant typhoid before it becomes uncontrollable.
The Ministry of Health is coordinating with international partners to ensure an uninterrupted vaccine supply, cold chain maintenance, and real-time data collection during the children vaccination campaign.
Health advocates stress that the campaign’s success will not only save lives in Bangladesh but also contribute to regional public health security by limiting the spread of resistant typhoid strains.
“This immunisation drive is a historic effort to protect millions of children from a preventable disease, and its success will serve as a model for other countries battling typhoid,” said a regional health official.
Bangladesh has made significant strides in child health over the past decades, and integrating TCV into routine immunisation reflects a commitment to proactive, science-based interventions.
By the end of the campaign, authorities expect millions of children to receive protection, significantly lowering infection rates, preventing fatalities, and reducing the overall public health burden of typhoid.
The government urges parents and caregivers to participate fully, reminding communities that vaccination remains the most effective strategy against typhoid, especially in areas with limited access to clean water.
With the Bangladesh typhoid immunisation drive now underway, the country is taking a crucial step in protecting its youngest citizens, ensuring long-term immunity.
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