Bangladesh launches typhoid campaign for 50M children

This marks Bangladesh as the eighth country in the world to introduce this campaign.

The campaign aims to vaccinate approximately 50 million children aged 9 months to under 15 years with a single, life-saving dose of the TCV vaccine, protecting them from deadly typhoid fever.

The campaign was inaugurated today at Farid Uddin Siddiqui High School, Azimpur, Dhaka at 9:00 am.

Children from Sir Salimullah Muslim Orphanage, studying at the host school, were among the first to receive the vaccine during this inaugural session.

“The TCV Campaign 2025 marks the beginning of a new journey to protect our children from the deadly threat of typhoid fever. Bangladesh’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) has a proud record of success — from eradicating polio to eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus — and the introduction of the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) will be no exception,” said Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum.

Through this nationwide campaign, all 50 million children aged 9 months to under 15 years will have access to the typhoid vaccine starting from 12 October.

Building on the success of the 2024 HPV campaign, which achieved 93 percent coverage, we must strive for 100 percent coverage so that every child is protected.

The EPI programme prevents an estimated 94,000 child deaths every year.

With the introduction of TCV, we can prevent an additional 6,000 deaths annually and move one step closer to a healthier, typhoid-free Bangladesh.

Typhoid fever, a vaccine-preventable infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi, a type of bacteria, remains a significant public health threat in Bangladesh, classified as a typhoid-endemic country.

According to the Global Burden of Disease estimates (2021), about 478,000 people in Bangladesh were infected with typhoid, resulting in 8,000 deaths, with children accounting for nearly 68% of the deaths.

The campaign aims to achieve at least 95% coverage to build strong population immunity and significantly reduce morbidity and mortality caused by typhoid.

"This campaign, the largest TCV rollout ever, that targets nearly 50 million children and adolescents (aged 9 months to under 15 years) in Bangladesh, is a critical advance in the global fight against increasingly drug-resistant typhoid," said Dirk Gehl, Senior Country Manager at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

"It demonstrates Bangladesh's commitment to protecting its most vulnerable, such as children and young adolescents, who are at the highest risk of the disease. Gavi and partners will continue to support the strengthening of Bangladesh’s routine immunisation, which serves as a model for other high-burden countries planning to launch the typhoid vaccine in the next five years."

The TCV campaign will be rolled out in two phases. The first phase, taking place from October 12 to 30, will cover all educational institutions across the country — including pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools, madrasa (general and kowmi), and English-medium schools.

The second phase, scheduled from November 1-13, will extend the campaign to communities through EPI fixed centers and around 120,000 outreach sites nationwide.

UNICEF has supported the Interim Government of Bangladesh in this vaccination drive, supplying 50.4 million TCV doses and strengthening every stage of delivery—from planning to communication.

Through the UNICEF-supported VaxEPI app and its real-time microplanning and reporting system, vaccine distribution and monitoring have been fully digitized, ensuring precision and efficiency.

So far, around 18 million children, about 33% of national target have already been registered through the VaxEPI digital platform (https://vaxepi.gov.bd.) UNICEF together with WHO have also supported development of online digital microplan, readiness assessment, for the campaign to ensure real time monitoring and reporting.

“This campaign marks an important milestone in collective efforts to protect every child from this preventable and life-threatening disease,” said Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh, adding:

“Vaccinating children is a promise—a promise of prevention over treatment, health over illness, life over loss. This campaign is a one-time opportunity to protect older children. Once the campaign ends, TCV will be available for infants under one year through routine immunization. UNICEF appeals to the media, to all parents to ensure that no child is left behind, especially those who are out of school, in informal or religious schools, or living on the streets. I commend the Government for prioritizing children’s health, and thank them for allowing UNICEF, the world’s leading agency for vaccine procurement and system support, to be a part of this journey.”

Beyond supplying vaccines, UNICEF has enhanced cold chain systems, developed operational guidelines and training materials, and supported wide-reaching communication and advocacy efforts.

UNICEF has mobilized its full capacity to ensure that every eligible child, including those out of school or living on the streets everywhere in Bangladesh, is reached and protected from this deadly disease.

“Typhoid remains a critical global health threat, affecting 9 million people and causing 110,000 deaths annually. In Bangladesh, around 8,000 lives are lost each year, with 68% of deaths among children under 15. The rise of antibiotic-resistant strains heightens the urgency for effective solutions. While improved water, sanitation, hygiene, and education are essential, vaccination is one of the most powerful tools available. With the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV), we have a critical opportunity to protect children, reverse alarming trends of antibiotic-resistant, and save thousands of young lives every year,” said Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, WHO Representative to Bangladesh.

“TCV is a single-dose, highly safe, and effective solution to prevent premature death. With this powerful tool, we can protect children, reduce antibiotic resistance, and save countless lives. Let us work together to vaccinate every eligible child and build a stronger, healthier nation. WHO remains fully committed to supporting the Government of Bangladesh in achieving good health and well-being for all.”

Following the campaign, TCV will be integrated into the routine immunization schedule for under one-year children starting in 2026 ensuring sustainable protection for children in Bangladesh.

The launch follows a series of advocacy efforts to ensure the campaign’s success.

A National Advocacy Meeting was organized on October 7, which brought together key government officials, partner organizations, and civil society leaders.

A press briefing was held in Dhaka on October 9, aimed at securing strong political support, emphasizing the importance of routine immunization, and encouraging parents and community participation in keeping their children protected through vaccination.

The campaign was led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) with support from UNICEF, and WHO. Delegates from U.S. Embassy Dhaka attended the launch ceremony to support this vaccination campaign, reports UNB. 

UNICEF, WHO, and Gavi reaffirmed their commitment to continue supporting the Government in planning and executing the campaign to ensure that every eligible child receives TCV.