Paba (Rajshahi) Representative:

The National Typhoid Vaccination Campaign has started for the first time as part of the nationwide Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI). As part of this program, the campaign was officially inaugurated on Sunday (October 12) at 9 am at the premises of Silinda Government Primary School in Paba Upazila of Rajshahi.

The program began with the vaccination of Humaira Akhter Him, a fifth-grade student, during the inauguration. This month-long program will continue until November 13. A total of 564,123 children and adolescents aged 9 months to 15 years in Rajshahi district will be given free injectable typhoid vaccine. Children without birth certificates will also come under this program.

Deputy Commissioner Afia Akhtar was the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony. Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr. Mahbuba Khatun moderated the welcome speech and Civil Surgeon Dr. SIM Rezaul Karim delivered the welcome speech. Upazila Executive Officer Arafat Aman Aziz, Hargram Union Parishad Chairman Principal Abul Kalam Azad also spoke at the event. Police Superintendent Farzana Islam, District Primary Education Officer AKM Anwar Hossain, Upazila Primary Education Officer Zubaida Roshan, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Asaduzzaman and school headmaster Sharifa Khatun were present.

In his welcome speech, Civil Surgeon Dr. SIM Rezaul Karim said, “This vaccination program is the first in the history of the country. A target has been set to vaccinate about five and a half lakh children and adolescents in Rajshahi district. Children without birth certificates will also be covered under the vaccination. This campaign will continue till November 13.”

He further said that this program is being implemented by the Rajshahi Civil Surgeon’s Office under the government’s healthcare department. This injectable typhoid vaccine, approved by the World Health Organization, is completely safe. It has already been used successfully in eight countries including Nepal and Pakistan and no major side effects have been seen anywhere. Bangladesh received this vaccine produced by Serum Institute with the support of the international vaccine support organization 'Gavi'.

Deputy Commissioner Afia Akhtar said at the inauguration ceremony, "Children are our future assets. Therefore, to keep them healthy and safe, there is no alternative to vaccination. This typhoid vaccine initiative is a historic step, which will protect our future generation from deadly infectious diseases."

According to sources from the Civil Surgeon's Office, registered students from pre-primary to ninth grade will receive the vaccine in schools and madrasas until October 30. After that, other children aged 9 months to 15 years will be vaccinated at the community level from November 1 to November 13. Various private organizations and NGOs will be responsible for vaccinating street children in the city.

The Health Department hopes that if this initiative is successfully implemented, typhoid fever will be under control in the country and the risk of this disease among children will be significantly reduced.