All children to receive Typhoid vaccine from 12 Oct, birth certificate not required: Health adviser
The nationwide drive will begin on 12 October and the campaign aims to immunise 5 crore children aged between nine months and under fifteen years
All children will have access to the typhoid vaccine in a nationwide campaign from 12 October, regardless of whether they possess a birth certificate, Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum said today (7 October).
Speaking at the national advocacy meeting of the 'Typhoid Vaccination Campaign 2025' held at the Shahid Abu Sayed Convention Centre in Shahbagh, she said, "We have successfully prevented many diseases, including diarrhoea and night blindness. Yet, children are still dying or suffering organ damage from typhoid."
She added, "Though delayed, we have begun typhoid vaccination, and I hope we succeed. We must ensure 100% access to and uptake of the vaccine."
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Announcing that the nationwide drive will begin on 12 October, Nurjahan said the campaign aims to immunise five crore children aged between nine months and under fifteen years.
Emphasising greater public awareness, she noted, "I found no sign of this campaign in my own home. I have grandchildren and the children of domestic workers, but no one mentioned it. This means we have not reached every household. Whether they have a birth certificate or not, everyone must be given the opportunity. Publicity needs to be intensified."
"This programme marks the beginning of a journey — I hope we can protect our children. The EPI [Expanded Programme on Immunisation] has a proud record of success in vaccination, and this will be no exception," she added.
Professor Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, described vaccination as the health sector's most successful initiative.
"Typhoid vaccination will likely be incorporated into the regular immunisation schedule," he said, adding that the vaccination workforce could be expanded by involving medical and nursing students and interns.
The campaign is supported by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) and Unicef.
Nearly two crore children have already been registered, and authorities confirmed that even those without prior registration will be vaccinated during the campaign, though registration is encouraged.
