08/10/2025
Under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) is set to launch a nationwide Typhoid Vaccination Campaign on 12 October 2025, aiming to protect children across Bangladesh from typhoid fever.
To mark the official launch, a National Advocacy Meeting was held on Tuesday, 7 October 2025, at the Shaheed Abu Saeed International Convention Center, Dhaka.
The event was graced by Ms. Nurjahan Begum, Honorable Advisor to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as Chief Guest, and Professor Dr. Md. Sayedur Rahman, Honorable Special Assistant to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as Special Guest. Other distinguished guests included Professor Dr. Md. Abu Jafor, Director General of Health Services; Dr. Rajesh Narwal, Acting WHO Representative to Bangladesh; and Ms. Deepika Sharma, Deputy Representative of UNICEF. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Md. Saidur Rahman, Secretary, Health Services Division.
During the session, EPI officials presented a comprehensive overview of the Typhoid Vaccination Campaign. A key highlight was the sharing of field experiences by Divisional Directors of Health and Civil Surgeons from across the country, who provided valuable insights on registration progress, operational challenges, and practical solutions to ensure a successful campaign rollout.
Dr. Rajesh Narwal, Acting WHO Representative to Bangladesh, commended the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in introducing the typhoid vaccine and emphasized the importance of achieving high coverage, stating: “We must ensure that no child is left behind, whether in urban slums, hard-to-reach rural areas, or remote communities. WHO remains fully committed to supporting the Government of Bangladesh and its partners in achieving the goal of Good Health and Well-being for All.”
Ms. Deepika Sharma, Deputy Representative of UNICEF, underscored the need for innovative strategies to reach underserved populations, noting: “Immunization is not just a program; it is an investment in our future. It protects lives and ensures a healthier, stronger Bangladesh.”
In her remarks, Ms. Nurjahan Begum, Honorable Advisor to the MoHFW, highlighted the importance of effective advocacy for the TCV campaign and called for proactive efforts to combat misinformation about vaccines. She further stressed that the registration process should be simple, inclusive, and accessible to all segments of the population.
Professor Dr. Md. Sayedur Rahman, Honorable Special Assistant to the MoHFW, emphasized the strategic engagement of medical and nursing students in the campaign, noting that Bangladesh has a large pool of human resources, including around 50,000 medical students, 8,000 intern doctors, and 120,000 nursing students, who can play a crucial role in supporting # this national initiative.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Md. Saidur Rahman, Secretary, Health Services Division, expressed appreciation to all participants and urged government stakeholders, development partners, and implementing agencies to work hand in hand to ensure the success of the nationwide Typhoid Vaccination Campaign.
