Rajshahi: Speakers at a press briefing here today unanimously said creating awareness among the masses is crucial to make the forthcoming typhoid vaccination campaign successful.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, mass media can play a vital role in this regard, as discussed at a press conference ahead of the typhoid vaccination campaign, scheduled to start next month, at the conference hall of the divisional commissioner office. Commissioner of Rajshahi division and RCC Administrator Khondoker Azim Ahmed emphasized the need for online registration for the vaccine and urged the media to generate awareness among the general public, particularly the guardians of the targeted children, to ensure the registration process is successful. He reassured that the vaccine has no significant side effects and stressed the importance of preventing any confusion about its safety.
RCC Chief Health Officer Dr. FAM Anjuman Ara Begum, during her keynote presentation, detailed the campaign's plan, which is set to run for 18 working days. Initial doses will be administered at 278 schools from October 12 to 30, followed by subsequent doses in 240 EPI centres from November 1 to 13. The campaign aims to vaccinate 135,127 children aged between 9 months and under 16 years.
The typhoid vaccination campaign, under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), will be conducted in two phases. The first phase involves school-based camps for 10 working days, and the second phase will be at EPI centres over eight days for children who miss the school campaign. Parents can register online using a 17-digit birth registration number to obtain a vaccine card, while those without birth certificates can register with a parent's mobile number and receive written proof of vaccination.
The single-dose injectable typhoid conjugate vaccine, supplied by Gavi, offers protection for 3 to 7 years and has been proven safe with no major side effects. Health officials, including Divisional Coordinator of World Health Organization Dr. Muhammad Kamruzzaman, Divisional Coordinator of UNICEF Towfique Ahmed, and EPI Specialist of UNICEF Dr. Rezaur Rahman, urged parents to take advantage of this free government initiative to protect their children against typhoid, a disease associated with poor sanitation and unsafe water.