The nationwide typhoid vaccination programme has been delayed for over a month due to the unavailability of field-level health assistants. The 18-day initiative was scheduled to begin on September 1, but has now been deferred to October 12.
Dr Abul Fazal Md Shahabuddin Khan, manager of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), told reporters on Saturday that the vaccination campaign cannot proceed at the moment. Preparations could not be completed on time due to an ongoing protest of health assistants. This has led to the rescheduling.
According to Shahabuddin, the decision was made on August 14, and an official notification will be issued on August 17.
During the 18-day programme, the first 10 days will involve school-based vaccination camps, while the remaining eight days will cover children absent from school or not enrolled.
Registration and card issuance will continue as before. Children can be registered online using their birth certificate and parents’ mobile numbers.
According to government data, around 50 million children aged between 9 months and 15 years 11 months 29 days will receive the vaccine. A single injectable dose will provide protection for children aged 3 to 7 years.