A 97% Coverage: A National Breakthrough in Typhoid Prevention for Children in Bangladesh

“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. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the commitment of the Government of Bangladesh to protect children from preventable death and suffering and their families from the cost burden and emotional pain that occurs when children become dangerously ill. It places Bangladesh among global leaders—the eighth country in the world to introduce this life-saving campaign.

“The successful rollout of the vaccine could not be more important for child health. The latest Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), carried out by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) in partnership with UNICEF, shows that only 39.3% of people in Bangladesh have access to safely managed drinking water. Even more alarming, nearly half of all water sources (47.2%) and more than eight in ten household water samples (84.9%) are contaminated with E. coli. These numbers mean that for millions of children, illnesses like typhoid are not distant threats, they are risks faced every single day, and a simple glass of water can carry real danger.

“For this reason, UNICEF urgently supported the Government of Bangladesh to undertake the campaign. Until such time as every family can rely on clean, safe water, the TCV vaccine remains one of the strongest safeguards we can offer, protecting children from severe illness, protecting their futures, and giving parents peace of mind.

“For the strong uptake of the vaccine, I thank the parents for prioritizing their children’s health and wellbeing. For the successful reach achieved, I congratulate the Government of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and their incredible teamwork across the country. UNICEF is honored to have supported every step of the journey, from supplying 50.4 million doses of TCVs, to robust planning, strengthening cold chain systems with new cold rooms, and deploying digital tools like the VaxEPI platform that ensured vaccines reached the right children at the right time. We also helped build the capacity of frontline health workers with the training and guidance needed for such a massive nationwide rollout.

“Communication and community engagement efforts also played a vital role. By working closely with the Islamic Foundation and sharing trusted child-friendly messages across TV, radio, and social media, we reached more than 120 million people and helped families feel confident in vaccinating their children.

“What impresses me most is the commitment to reaching every child, everywhere. Children in marshy lands, coastal belts, and remote hilltops; children with disabilities; children from underprivileged families; children in nomadic, ethnic, and tea-garden communities; students in Kawmi Madrasas; and children of sex workers, all were included. And in the Rohingya camps, over 424,000 children were protected, reflecting Bangladesh’s deep commitment to all children in Bangladesh. 

“My heartfelt thanks go to the people of Bangladesh, to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and to the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) for their leadership and tireless efforts. We are deeply grateful to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, for its financial support, which made this one-time catch-up campaign for children possible. Our appreciation goes to the WHO and other partners who stood with us throughout to make this campaign a success.

“I also want to thank the media. In a time when rumors and misinformation can spread quickly, your responsible reporting and engagement with experts helped families receive accurate, trustworthy information, building the confidence that made this extraordinary coverage possible.

“Vaccinating our children is one of the strongest promises we can make, a promise of health, protection, and hope. With this campaign, Bangladesh has taken a powerful step toward a typhoid-free future for every child.” 

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