Allow me to share the story of my country, Bangladesh—a land of great potential located in South Asia. Each year, the monsoon winds from the Bay of Bengal bring heavy rainfall that enriches our soil, yet also fosters conditions that allow enteric diseases like typhoid to spread.
Typhoid burden
While Bangladesh has made significant strides in improving sanitation and access to safe drinking water, its drainage and sewage systems have not kept pace with rapid urbanization. Consequently, the risk of typhoid remains a serious concern.
Bangladesh is considered to have one of the highest rates of typhoid globally. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, there were an estimated 477,500 typhoid cases in the country in 2021—equivalent to approximately 290 cases per 100,000 people. Nearly 8,000 deaths were attributed to typhoid that year, with 68 percent of those deaths occurring in children under the age of 15. Those who contract typhoid often miss school for extended periods and may suffer from lasting health complications, while their families face significant financial burdens due to high treatment costs.
Even more alarming is that for every confirmed case of typhoid, an estimated 3 to 25 additional patients who do not have confirmed diagnosis due to the lack of proper testing are treated with antibiotics. This widespread misuse of antibiotics contributes to the increasing threat of drug-resistant typhoid. Therefore, preventing typhoid through vaccination and access to safe water and improved sanitation is critical.
The campaign
Bangladesh has a powerful tool to combat this issue: the single-dose typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV), which provides a safe and effective way to protect children from typhoid. Over 90 million children around the world, including millions in neighboring countries like Pakistan and Nepal, have already been vaccinated through typhoid vaccination campaigns.
The country is preparing to commence a nationwide typhoid vaccination campaign aimed at protecting approximately 50 million children aged 9 months to under 15 years. Since 1979, the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) of Bangladesh has offered free vaccines to protect children from six life-threatening diseases—a number that has grown over time to eleven. The introduction of TCV will be the newest addition to this program and represents one of the largest and most ambitious vaccination campaigns in the country’s history.
This campaign will adopt an innovative approach to ensure that every child is reached. Typhoid vaccines will be administered in two ways: children enrolled in educational institutions from pre-primary/kindergarten to 9th grade will be vaccinated at their respective schools, while out-of-school children aged 9 months to under 15 years will be vaccinated at local vaccination centers, including fixed and outreach sites.
A coordinated approach
The strength and success of this massive effort stem from Bangladesh’s skilled and committed vaccination workforce, supported and coordinated by the EPI under the supervision of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW). This effort is further supported by key ministries, including the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives; the Ministry of Education, along with the Madrasah and Technical Education Boards; the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education; the Ministry of Social Welfare; and the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs. Crucial support has also come from local and international development partners and dedicated field staff from civil society organizations. We also extend our sincere gratitude to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and PATH for their invaluable contributions.
Thanks to robust multi-stakeholder coordination and the dedication of trained health assistants and volunteers, this lifesaving vaccine will reach even the most remote communities. Careful planning has ensured that children in hard-to-reach areas can receive TCV right at their doorsteps.
The EPI, in collaboration with the government and development partners, has engaged mass media to inform, create awareness and communicate with communities about the typhoid vaccination campaign. Through partnerships with community leaders, religious figures, journalists, and influencers, and by leveraging nationwide mass media platforms, the campaign strengthens social mobilization and ensures the accurate dissemination of information about TCV to parents, caregivers, and eligible children.
A healthier future
The introduction of the typhoid vaccine marks a significant step forward in Bangladesh’s journey toward a typhoid-free future. By working together, we can safeguard millions of children and create a healthier nation. Every effort matters—let’s make sure every child is protected.
