The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) will introduce the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) into the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) for children aged 15 months across the country from August 1.
The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) branch of the DGHS issued a directive announcing the introduction of the vaccine to provide long-term protection against typhoid fever.
Under the directive, children aged 15 months will receive a single dose of TCV at EPI fixed and outreach vaccination centers. The vaccine may be administered during the same session as the Measles-Rubella (MR-2) vaccine.
The vaccine will be supplied in 5-dose vials and must be stored and transported at temperatures between 2°C and 8°C. Under the multi-dose vial policy, opened vials may be used in subsequent vaccination sessions under specified conditions to reduce wastage.
Field workers have been instructed to visit households to identify eligible children, assess vaccine demand, and ensure vaccination during scheduled sessions. They have also been directed to register children through the EPI app, download vaccine cards, and update vaccination records in the Smart Health BD/e-Tracker app after immunization.
The DGHS also instructed health authorities to engage local representatives, teachers, imams, and other religious and community leaders to raise awareness among parents through door-to-door outreach, public announcements, courtyard meetings, and interpersonal communication.
