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The government is launching the “Preventive Oral Cholera Vaccination Campaign-2026” to vaccinate 5.175 million people in 14 high-risk upazilas and police stations across the country.
The first round of the vaccination campaign will run from August 22 to September 21, while the second round will take place from September 26 to October 25.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain announced the programme at its inauguration ceremony at the Nagar Bhaban Auditorium in the capital on Thursday (August 20).
The minister said cholera is both preventable and treatable, but delayed treatment can lead to severe diarrhoea and dehydration and cause death rapidly. Alongside safe water, sanitation and hygienic practices, oral cholera vaccine (OCV) plays an important role in preventing and controlling the disease.
Considering Bangladesh’s high population density, rapid urbanisation, limitations in safe water and sanitation, population movement and area-specific risks, the government has adopted a targeted, evidence-based and preventive approach, he said.
High-risk areas have been prioritised based on several indicators, including disease burden, previous vaccination history, population density and the likelihood of infection.
Under a Multi-Year Plan of Action prepared by the Health Ministry, the preventive programme will gradually be expanded to 144 high-risk upazilas and police stations across the country, the minister said.
The 14 priority areas in the first phase are Lalbagh, Gendaria, Kadamtali and Kamrangirchar under Dhaka South City Corporation; Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Khilkhet and Tejgaon under Dhaka North City Corporation; Munshiganj Sadar; Karimganj, Hossainpur and Tarail in Kishoreganj; Narayanganj Sadar; and Brahmanbaria Sadar and Nabinagar in Brahmanbaria.
Around 10.35 million doses of vaccine will be required for the two rounds, Sakhawat Hossain said. People aged one year and above in the selected areas will receive the vaccine based on eligibility criteria, with a minimum interval of 14 days between the two doses.
The minister also highlighted the use of the VaxEPI platform, which will help record vaccination data, monitor coverage, supervise the programme and facilitate subsequent evaluation.
He said preventive cholera vaccination programmes had been limited for more than three years due to a global shortage of oral cholera vaccines.
With the global supply situation improving in 2026, the WHO, Gavi and UNICEF have taken initiatives to resume preventive campaigns. As part of the initiative, around 10.3 million doses have been planned for Bangladesh.
According to the national plan, Gavi is supporting the supply of 10,352,500 doses of OCV to Bangladesh. The vaccine is WHO prequalified, and Gavi is also supporting the vaccine and related operational costs.
Urging people not to rely solely on vaccination to prevent cholera, the minister stressed the importance of safe water, improved sanitation and sewage systems, handwashing with soap, safe food preparation and storage, early detection and timely access to oral rehydration solution (ORS) and medical care.
Addressing health workers, local administrators and public representatives, Sakhawat Hossain urged them to ensure that no eligible person is left out of the vaccination programme. He called for the use of mosques, madrasas, schools, community meetings, public announcements and other local communication channels to encourage people to get vaccinated.
He also instructed officials to ensure that the campaign does not disrupt routine EPI activities in any way.
Calling on the media to provide accurate information, the minister said misinformation, rumours and confusion about vaccines should not discourage people from receiving them.
He also urged health workers and volunteers to strictly follow guidelines on vaccine safety, cold-chain management, accurate record-keeping, adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) management and respectful service delivery.
At the end of the event, the health minister formally inaugurated the “Preventive Oral Cholera Vaccination Campaign-2026.”