Rajshahi: The Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) recently conducted an advocacy meeting aimed at ensuring the success of its forthcoming typhoid vaccination campaign. The meeting, chaired by RCC Chief Executive Officer Rezaul Karim, saw contributions from key health and educational officials including Divisional Director of Health Dr. Habibur Rahman, Divisional Director of Islamic Foundation Abdur Rashid, and Deputy Director of Department of Primary Education Muhammad Sanaullah. Furthermore, Dr. Muhammad Kamruzzaman of the World Health Organization and Dr. Rezaur Rahman from UNICEF also addressed the gathering.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, RCC Chief Health Officer Dr. FAM Anjuman Ara Begum provided a detailed presentation on the campaign’s logistics. The campaign is scheduled to unfold over 18 working days, beginning with initial doses administered at 278 schools from October 12 to 30. It will continue with subsequent doses at 240 EPI centers from November 1 to 13. This initiative marks the RCC’s first nationwide typhoid vaccination effort, targeting 1,35,127 children aged between 9 months and under 16 years.
The campaign will operate under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), and will be executed in two phases. The first phase involves school-based camps over a span of 10 working days, followed by an 8-day period at EPI centers for those children who missed the school-based vaccinations.
To facilitate the process, parents can register online using a 17-digit birth registration number to obtain vaccine cards. For those without birth certificates, registration can be completed using a parent’s mobile number, after which written proof of vaccination will be provided.
The single-dose injectable typhoid conjugate vaccine, supplied by Gavi, offers protection lasting between 3 to 7 years and is considered safe, with no major side effects reported. Health officials are urging parents to make use of this free government initiative to safeguard their children from typhoid, a disease commonly associated with poor sanitation and unsafe water conditions.