Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum has emphasized ensuring 100 percent coverage in the administration and availability of typhoid vaccines across Bangladesh. “Although delayed, we have finally started the typhoid vaccination campaign. I am hopeful we will succeed,” she said while addressing the National Advocacy Meeting for the “Typhoid Vaccination Campaign 2025” as the chief guest on Tuesday at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed Convention Center in Shahbagh.
She said the death of children from typhoid in Bangladesh is unacceptable. “We have successfully eliminated diseases like diarrhea and night blindness, yet our children are still dying or suffering disabilities from typhoid fever,” she noted.
The health adviser announced that the nationwide typhoid vaccination campaign will begin on October 12, targeting 50 million children. Children aged between nine months and under 15 years will be eligible to receive the vaccine.
Highlighting the need for strong awareness campaigns, Nurjahan Begum said, “I have grandchildren, and even the children of my domestic workers—none of them mentioned knowing about it. That means our campaign has not yet reached every household.”
She added that it is a moral responsibility to ensure that no child is left behind. “Every child must be given access to the vaccine, whether or not they have a birth certificate. Awareness and publicity must be intensified,” she urged.
“With this initiative, we are embarking on a new journey,” she continued. “We have seen great success under the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), and I am confident we will achieve similar success here, Insha’Allah.”
She reiterated that the goal is to ensure vaccination for every eligible child and to dispel any misconceptions surrounding the campaign. “Alongside community leaders, the media also have a vital role to play in building trust and spreading accurate information,” she said.
Special Assistant to the Health and Family Welfare Ministry (with the rank of State Minister) Professor Dr. Sayedur Rahman said vaccination remains the most successful public health initiative in Bangladesh. “We hope the typhoid vaccine will eventually be included in the routine immunization program. To enhance our vaccination capacity, medical and nursing college students, as well as interns, can be involved,” he suggested.
The meeting was chaired by Health Secretary Md. Saidur Rahman and attended by Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services Professor Dr. Md. Abu Zafar, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health’s Public Health Division ATM Saiful Islam, Director General of the NGO Affairs Bureau Dawood Mia, representatives from various ministries, UNICEF’s Deepika Sharma, WHO Deputy Representative Rajesh Narwan, and several other international delegates.
Vaccination officials from across the country also participated in the event.
The nationwide campaign is being supported by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi) and UNICEF. Nearly 20 million children have already been registered for vaccination. Authorities have confirmed that unregistered children will also be eligible to receive the vaccine during the campaign, though parents are encouraged to complete registration beforehand.
