Nationwide Typhoid Vaccination In Bangladesh Protects Nearly Half a Million Rohingya Children

Dr Mohammadul Hoque, Civil Surgeon of Cox’s Bazar, addresses officials and partners at the launch of the typhoid vaccination campaign.
Photo credit: WHO/Terence Ngwabe 

Nearly half a million Rohingya children in Cox’s Bazar are now better protected against typhoid fever following their inclusion in Bangladesh’s nationwide Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) campaign. Conducted from 2 to 25 November 2025 with technical support from WHO and health partners, the dedicated phase in Ukhiya and Teknaf ensured children in one of the country’s highest-risk settings received life-saving protection as part of the broader national effort to reduce typhoid transmission.

Typhoid Fever: A Continuing Public-Health Challenge

Typhoid fever remains a significant risk in the Rohingya camps, where overcrowding, limited access to safe water, and poor sanitation contribute to recurrent outbreaks. Surveillance data from January 2024 to November 2025 indicate seasonal increases in suspected cases, with notable peaks in late 2024 and mid-2025. These trends underscore the need for sustained preventive measures to protect children in these high-risk communities.

Fig. 1: Suspected typhoid cases reported monthly through DHIS-2, Jan 2024–Nov 2025.
 

A Nationwide Effort with Inclusive Reach

Bangladesh launched its nationwide TCV campaign in October 2025, aiming to vaccinate around 50 million children aged nine months to 15 years across schools and community sites. Recognizing the vulnerability of the Rohingya population, the Government of Bangladesh included Cox’s Bazar as a dedicated phase, targeting 491,736 children living in camps across Ukhiya and Teknaf.

“This campaign is an essential intervention to protect children from a serious and persistent threat,” said Dr Mohammadul Hoque, Civil Surgeon of Cox’s Bazar. “The strong technical engagement of WHO and our partners ensured safe delivery and high-quality implementation across all camps.”

Strong Coverage Through Coordinated Action

By the end of the campaign in the Rohingya camps, 410,345 children had received TCV, achieving 86.3% coverage. This success reflects robust coordination among government authorities, WHO, and local partners, coupled with community engagement and efficient field operations.

A trained female vaccinator administers TCV to a Rohingya child, with volunteers supporting crowd flow and health-card verification.
Photo credit: WHO/Terence Ngwabe.

Training the Workforce and Engaging Communities

Ahead of the campaign, the WHO Immunization and Vaccine Development (IVD) team conducted six batches of training for facility managers, AEFI focal points, nurses, and female vaccinators. A total of 270 participants were trained in vaccine administration, injection safety, waste management, cold-chain procedures, recording and reporting, and Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) surveillance.

To promote uptake, WHO and RCCE partners held community meetings with majhis and imams, who helped explain the benefits of typhoid vaccination and encouraged caregivers to bring their children forward for vaccination.

Majhis and imams participate in a community engagement meeting led by the Camp-in-Charge of Camp 13 and supported by WHO during the November 2025 TCV campaign.
Photo credit: WHO/Bangladesh 

During implementation, WHO conducted Rapid Convenience Monitoring to identify and address gaps in real time. Cold-chain integrity was maintained through dedicated transport, continuous temperature monitoring, and proper storage practices. Digital verification using UNHCR barcodes enhanced record accuracy and minimized errors, while strengthened surveillance and established referral pathways supported the prompt management of any adverse events following immunization.

“I came with my younger brother to get the vaccine because we want to stay healthy,” said 10-year-old Nurul. “The nurses were kind, and now I feel safe from typhoid.”

Supporting Long-Term Disease Control

WHO collaborated closely with the Civil Surgeon’s Office to review typhoid trends, refine vaccination strategies, and reinforce surveillance systems. The Organization also provided guidance to enhance case detection, streamline referral processes, and support preparedness at health facilities.

“WHO is working closely with the Government of Bangladesh to ensure that high-risk children are protected through safe and effective vaccination,” said Dr Anthony Eshofonie, WHO Team Leader for Health Security and Emergencies and Head of Sub-Office (a.i.), Cox’s Bazar. “Alongside improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene, expanded vaccination coverage will play a decisive role in reducing severe and drug-resistant infections.”

Sustaining Public-Health Gains

The introduction of TCV as part of a nationwide campaign represents a long-term investment in reducing typhoid burden among children in Bangladesh, including the Rohingya population. Ongoing monitoring of coverage, safety, and disease trends will guide future immunization strategies and outbreak prevention. WHO and the Government of Bangladesh will continue strengthening routine immunization, improving WASH conditions, and maintaining robust disease surveillance to protect children from preventable diseases and sustain the progress achieved through this campaign.

For more information about this publication, please get in touch with Terence Ngwabe Che, External Communication Officer, Cox’s Bazar Sub Office, WHO Bangladesh, at chet@who.int