1.7cr children vaccinated so far in nationwide typhoid campaign

At least 1.70 crore children was vaccinated until yesterday as the typhoid vaccination campaign is going on across Bangladesh.

Shahriar Sajjad, deputy director of Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), revealed the information at the progress review meeting at the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (Cirdap) auditorium today.

The nationwide campaign, launched on October 12, aims to bring 4.9 crore children aged between nine months and 15 years under vaccination coverage by November 13.

Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser for the health ministry, said the vaccine is necessary to reduce typhoid burden in the country.

The vaccine is safe, effective, and qualityful, proven by internationally renowned organisations and thus, the government is requesting all to have their children vaccinated, he said.

Prof Abu Jafor, director general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), said some people are spreading false information about the vaccination campaign on social media, and they have been trying to identify them and counter them.

He said they got a report of adverse effects of the vaccination from fewer than 500 cases, which is not notable considering the total number of children who received the vaccine.

Saidur Rahman, secretary of the Health Services Division, said given the progress, they were hopeful about meeting the target.