Bangladesh rolls out typhoid immunisation drive for 50 million children

The run aims to support the children from the drug-resistant illness spreading crossed South Asia.

Bangladesh has begun a nationwide vaccination run to support millions of children from typhoid, a life-threatening illness that is becoming progressively resistant to antibiotics.

The monthlong drive, launched connected Sunday, aims to immunise astir 50 cardinal children aged betwixt 9 months and 15 years with a azygous dose of the typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV).

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The vaccine, approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), offers extortion for up to 5 years and is being distributed escaped nether the government’s Expanded Programme connected Immunisation (EPI).

The run follows mounting concerns implicit drug-resistant typhoid strains spreading crossed South Asia. Pakistan has been battling a strain since 2016 that is resistant to astir each antibiotics but one.

Health workers successful Bangladesh are administering the vaccine done schools, clinics, and door-to-door visits, prioritising municipality slums and distant villages. The run volition tally until November 13, aft which TCV volition beryllium included successful the country’s regular immunisation schedule.

Typhoid, caused by Salmonella Typhi bacteria, spreads done contaminated nutrient and water. It triggers fever, abdominal pain, and nausea, and tin origin fatal complications if untreated.

Researchers successful Bangladesh person precocious identified ceftriaxone-resistant strains – a worrying development, arsenic ceftriaxone remains 1 of the past effectual treatments.

Experts pass that without preventive action, resistant strains could marque typhoid acold harder to manage. Supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the run aims to little corruption rates and bounds the dispersed of resistance.

Inaugurating the drive, the government’s wellness adviser, Nurjahan Begum, said it was “shameful” that children inactive dice from typhoid successful Bangladesh. She expressed anticipation that the state would decision the illness arsenic it did diarrhoea and nighttime blindness.

Officials highlighted the vaccine’s beardown information grounds successful neighbouring countries specified arsenic Pakistan, Nepal, and successful India’s Mumbai, wherever nary large broadside effects were reported.