Raju Ahmed, Durgapur ( Rajshahi) 

"Children are the future of the country. Vaccination programs are very important for their healthy growth," said Sabrina Sharmin, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Durgapur, Rajshahi.

He said this while speaking as the chief guest at the "Typhoid Vaccination Campaign Advocacy Meeting" held at the Upazila Health Complex auditorium on Thursday noon.

UNO Sabrina Sharmin said, "Typhoid is a deadly disease. This initiative of the government is very commendable for public health. Everyone should be made aware of this so that every parent is interested in vaccinating their children."

The meeting was presided over by Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Mohammad Ruhul Amin. Moderated by Resident Medical Officer Dr. Mehedi Hasan, among others, Upazila Livestock Officer Dr. Jannatul Ferdous, Social Service Officer Rakibul Yusuf, Family Planning Officer Dr. Aisha Nusrat Jahan, Secondary Education Officer Dulal Alam, Education Officer Asaduzzaman, ICT Officer Mehedi Hasan, and Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Rezaul Karim, along with officials and public representatives from various departments were present.

It was informed in the meeting that as part of the government's Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), a month-long typhoid vaccination campaign will begin across the country from October 12. In Durgapur Upazila, all children aged 9 months to 15 years and students from pre-primary to ninth grade will be given one dose of typhoid vaccine free of charge.

Students with digital birth registration will have to register on the website vaxepi.gov.bd . Those who do not have birth registration can get vaccinated through schools or vaccination centers with the help of the concerned.

The Health Department said that the typhoid vaccine has been used in the country since 2017 and is as safe as the general EPI vaccine. It is stated that this vaccine has no side effects. A total of 45,229 children in Durgapur Upazila have been targeted to be covered under this vaccine.

In the president's speech, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Mohammad Ruhul Amin said, "This vaccine is very effective in preventing typhoid. It is important to ensure the active participation of parents to increase children's immunity."