For the first time in Bangladesh, typhoid vaccines are being provided free of charge to children. Previously, countries like Pakistan and Nepal have also implemented vaccination programs for children. In Nepal, a comprehensive study involving 20,000 children was conducted by the renowned medical journal The Lancet Global Health to evaluate the vaccine’s effectiveness.
Published in 2021, the study revealed that the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) is 81% effective in the first year and 79% effective in the second year after vaccination. This vaccine is safe for children aged from 9 months to 16 years. Apart from mild fever or slight pain at the injection site, no significant side effects or health risks have been reported following vaccination.
The study also indicated that TCV can provide more than 85% protection against typhoid for Bangladeshi children.
Typhoid fever is a serious illness caused primarily by the bacteria Salmonella Typhi, and it can also result from Salmonella Paratyphi. These bacteria typically spread through contaminated food and water.
The infection can spread through the bloodstream and affect internal organs such as the lungs, heart, brain, and intestines, potentially causing severe damage. Without timely treatment, typhoid can lead to serious complications and may even be fatal.
Typhoid fever remains a major public health challenge in developing countries, with outbreaks often occurring during floods. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, high fever between 103-104°F, headache, diarrhea or constipation, reddish skin rashes, extreme weakness, and severe cough.
Bangladesh’s first-ever nationwide typhoid vaccination campaign for children will run until November 13. Nearly 50 million children aged 9 months to under 15 years will receive a free single dose of the vaccine. This marks the country’s inaugural mass typhoid vaccination initiative.
The vaccine is safe for all children from 9 months to 16 years of age. Mild fever or minor pain at the injection site may occur, but no serious side effects have been reported.
In summary, the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine is highly effective and safe for children, providing crucial protection against a potentially life-threatening disease. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate actively in the vaccination campaign to safeguard their children’s health.
