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DHAKA, Oct 13, 2025 (BSS)- A total of 16 lakh 55 thousand children were 
vaccinated with the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) today across the country 
for the first time. 

The campaign, which began yesterday, will continue until November 13. The 
government plans to provide this free vaccine to approximately five crore (50 
million) children and adolescents. Children without a birth certificate will 
also receive this vaccine.

This is the first-ever typhoid vaccination campaign in the country. The 
vaccine was manufactured by India's Serum Institute. The government procured 
the vaccine from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. So far, 19,323,316 individuals 
have registered for the vaccine.

Of the total, 14,125,481 registered through schools while 5,197,835 
registered through community channels. As of yesterday (Sunday), 1,516,162 
people from schools and 139,202 from the community had been vaccinated.

Professor Dr. Md. Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the Chief Adviser 
(with the status of State Minister for the Ministry of Health), commented on 
the matter, stating that the vaccine is approved by the World Health 
Organization (WHO) and is safe. 

"It has already been administered in Nepal, Pakistan, and eight other 
countries. There are no examples of major side effects from this vaccine," he 
said, adding that antibiotics are currently used to treat typhoid. 

A reduction in typhoid cases will lead to a decrease in the use of 
antibiotics in the country, he remarked.

Mentionable, a total of 4,78,000 people were infected with typhoid in 2021 
across the country and 8,000 died. Among the victims, 68 percent were 
children. 

Although there is no continuous data, figures, or statistics on the 
prevalence of typhoid in the country, it is estimated to be increasing.