Dhaka: UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh Rana Flowers has announced that Bangladesh has achieved over 97 percent coverage in the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) Campaign 2025, which places it among global leaders. 'I am filled with immense pride and gratitude as I share wonderful news - Bangladesh has achieved something extraordinary: over 97% coverage in the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) Campaign 2025, protecting more than 42.5 million children,' she said in a recent statement.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Flowers highlighted that this remarkable achievement underscores the commitment of the Government of Bangladesh to safeguard children from preventable diseases and alleviate the financial and emotional toll on families when children fall severely ill. She stated that Bangladesh is now the eighth country in the world to introduce this life-saving campaign, marking its place among global leaders.
The successful rollout of the vaccine is crucial for child health, especially given the findings of the latest Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) carried out by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) in partnership with UNICEF. The survey reveals that only 39.3% of people in Bangladesh have access to safely managed drinking water, with nearly half of all water sources and over eight in ten household water samples contaminated with E. coli. These conditions make illnesses like typhoid a daily risk for millions of children.
UNICEF, recognizing the urgency of the situation, supported the Government of Bangladesh in implementing the campaign. Flowers emphasized that until clean, safe water is universally accessible, the TCV vaccine remains a critical safeguard against severe illness, protecting children's futures and providing peace of mind to parents.
The strong uptake of the vaccine is attributed to the concerted efforts of parents prioritizing their children's health and wellbeing, as well as the dedication of the Government of Bangladesh, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and their teamwork across the country. UNICEF played a vital role by supplying 50.4 million doses of TCVs, engaging in robust planning, enhancing cold chain systems, and utilizing digital tools like the VaxEPI platform to ensure timely vaccine delivery. Additionally, they aided in training frontline health workers for the extensive nationwide rollout.
Effective communication and community engagement were also critical. By collaborating with the Islamic Foundation and disseminating trusted child-friendly messages through TV, radio, and social media, UNICEF reached over 120 million people, instilling confidence in families to vaccinate their children.
Flowers expressed admiration for the commitment to reaching every child, regardless of their location or circumstance. This includes children in remote areas, those with disabilities, from underprivileged backgrounds, and those in Rohingya camps, where over 424,000 children were vaccinated, reflecting Bangladesh's deep commitment to all children within its borders.