In a press release announcement, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) is set to launch a major vaccination drive to combat typhoid among children. Starting October 12, the "Typhoid Vaccination Campaign 2025" will provide free typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) to nearly one million children across the city.
The initiative is part of a nationwide effort to vaccinate all children aged nine months to 15 years. The vaccination campaign will continue until November 13 and will be carried out in two distinct phases to ensure maximum coverage.
In phase 1 (October 12 - October 31), Vaccinations will be administered to students directly at their respective educational institutions. In phase 2 (November 1 - November 13), the focus will shift to children not enrolled in school and those from marginalized communities.
Vaccinations will be available at approximately 450 temporary centers. In addition to these phases, permanent vaccination centers at the 75 ward offices will also be operational from October 12 to November 13, with the exception of Fridays and government holidays.
To receive the vaccine, parents must register their child's existing 17-digit online birth registration number on the official website, www.vaxepi.gov.bd, and download a vaccination card. For those without an online birth certificate, the DSCC has instructed its regional offices to prioritize these services to facilitate the vaccination process.
At a recent advocacy meeting, DSCC Chief Executive Officer Mr. Md. Zahirul Islam underscored the safety of the vaccine, stating, "The typhoid vaccine is completely safe and has been tested by the World Health Organization. With everyone's cooperation, we want to turn this children's vaccination drive into a festival."
Typhoid is a bacterial disease that spreads through contaminated water and food, and vaccination is a key preventative measure against it and related complications.
The campaign is a collaborative effort involving various government departments and international organizations. Representatives from the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, Directorate of Madrasah Education, Directorate of Primary Education, Islamic Foundation, Department of Social Services, the Red Crescent, the World Health Organization, and UNICEF participated in the planning meeting, highlighting the broad support for this vital public health initiative.
