Bangladesh has launched a nation-wide immunization campaign targeting children to counter the threat of drug-resistant typhoid strains. The one-month drive aims to vaccinate 50 million children aged 9 months to 15 years with a single dose of the WHO pre-qualified Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV), free of charge under the government’s Expanded Programme on Immunization.
“Drug-resistant typhoid is a ticking public health time bomb”, Vaccination is our best defense to protect children before antibiotics stop working,” said a senior official from Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Health Services.
Vaccination teams are operating through schools, health centers, and door-to-door outreach, with special focus on urban slums and rural communities. The campaign will run until November 13, after which TCV will be integrated into Bangladesh’s routine immunization schedule.
Main highlights of Bangladeshi Vaccination Drive:
- 5 to 10 million people globally estimated to live with Salmonella Typhi infection
- 57% of typhoid isolates in South Asia now show resistance to first-line antibiotics
- Bangladesh among the first 5 countries worldwide to launch a national-scale TCV rollout
- 300,000 health workers and volunteers engaged in the one month campaign.
Rising Threats and Strategic Response:
Researchers in Bangladesh have detected ceftriaxone-resistant typhoid strains, a worrying development given that ceftriaxone remains one of the few effective treatment options left. Experts warn that without preventive strategies, drug resistance could severely limit treatment options and increase mortality.
TCV offers advantages over older typhoid vaccines. It confers longer protection (up to 5 years) with just one dose, and is suitable for children as young as 6 months. Trials in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Malawi showed vaccine effectiveness in the range of 79-85%.
Challenges Ahead:
Implementing a campaign of this scale involves logistical, outreach, and monitoring challenges. Bangladesh’s health system must ensure cold-chain integrity, safe delivery in remote areas, and community acceptance.
The stakes are high. If successful, the campaign could curb new infections, reduce antibiotic use, and slow the spread of resistant strains. It also sends a strong message about proactive prevention in the face of rising antimicrobial resistance.7
