Typhoid vaccination from 12 Oct, fully safe for children: CA’s special assistant Sayedur
The nationwide drive is a critical step to curb infection and reduce deaths driven by the spread of Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) Typhoid, for which many conventional antibiotics are now ineffective
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has sought to reassure the public about the safety of the new typhoid vaccine, stating that it is safe and fully vetted, ahead of a nationwide immunisation drive starting from next week.
"The typhoid vaccine that will be given in Bangladesh is pre-qualified, safe, and tested by the World Health Organisation (WHO)," said Prof Md Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser on the health ministry, at a press briefing today (9 October).
He also emphasised the safety and reliability of the vaccine. "This is not an experimental application in Bangladesh," he said, adding that the interim government "would never use hazardous vaccines".
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The month-long "Typhoid Vaccination Campaign 2025" will begin on 12 October, aiming to administer a free single dose of the vaccine to around five crore children aged between nine months and under 15 years across the country.
The nationwide drive is a critical step to curb infection and reduce deaths driven by the spread of Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) Typhoid, for which many conventional antibiotics are now ineffective.
At the briefing, Sayedur also noted the vaccine's successful track record, having been used in Pakistan (2019), Nepal (2022), and Mumbai, India, with no significant adverse reactions reported.
The urgency of the vaccination effort stems from high child mortality rates associated with typhoid. Citing a 2021 study, Sayedur said about 8,000 people died of typhoid in Bangladesh that year, of whom roughly 68%, around 6,000, were children under 15.
He said the upcoming campaign would help to reduce infection and death rates among children and limit the "unnecessary use of antibiotics" in treatment.
Under the campaign, students from pre-primary (play, nursery, kindergarten) to ninth grade or equivalent levels will receive the vaccine at their respective educational institutions. Children not enrolled in schools will receive the free vaccine at community-level EPI (Expanded Programme on Immunisation) centres.
Special arrangements have also been made to cover underprivileged children in slums, tea gardens, orphanages, and juvenile centres.
Responding to questions about possible side effects, Sayedur stressed that, as with other vaccines, mild fever or soreness might occur but would resolve naturally.
The health ministry also confirmed that the typhoid vaccine is certified halal by the Saudi Halal Centre.
"Vaccines helped Bangladesh become polio-free," Sayedur said. "Similarly, typhoid can be controlled and eventually eradicated through vaccination."
