The Health Services Division has set a target to provide typhoid vaccine for over 1.6 million children in Chattogram district. This initiative is part of a nationwide vaccination campaign beginning on October 12.
Children aged between nine months, and 15 years will get the vaccine free of cost, official sources said. The announcement came at an orientation held on typhoid vaccination at a city hotel on Tuesday morning.
Speaking as the chief guest, Faizul Haque, director general of the Department of Mass Communication, emphasised the need for ensuring vaccination coverage across all institutions, including pre-primary, primary, secondary, higher secondary, and Qawmi madrasas.
He noted that tackling misinformation surrounding vaccines remains a challenge and urged all stakeholders to highlight the importance of immunisation.
According to Chattogram district health officials, 1,632,000 children are expected to receive the vaccine this year, with over 54% already registered. Meanwhile, the Chattogram City Corporation will administer about 827,000 doses.
Bangladesh faces one of the highest typhoid infection rates globally. The Global Burden of Disease 2021 survey reported nearly 478,000 cases and 8,000 deaths in the country, with 68% of fatalities among children.
Delivering the keynote, Chattogram Civil Surgeon Dr Jahangir Alam assured that no evidence of allergic reactions had been found during global research on Covid-19 vaccines, and the typhoid vaccine posed no such risks either.
He added that children previously vaccinated could register again to further boost their immunity.
Under the campaign, eligible children will receive one free dose of the vaccine. Parents and guardians must register their children at https://vaxepi.gov.bd using a 17-digit birth registration number.
After registration, the vaccination card should be downloaded and presented on the day of vaccination. For students without a 17-digit birth registration number or those above 15 years of age, guardians are advised to contact local health assistants or vaccination workers.
