Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hussain inaugurated the campaign at the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) auditorium on August 20. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Aug 22, 2026 (BSS) - The 'Preventive Oral Cholera Vaccination Campaign-2026' has begun in 14 high-risk upazilas and thanas across the country to prevent cholera.

The campaign began today with the first dose and it will continue till September 21, while the second dose will be given from September 26 to October 25.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hussain inaugurated the campaign at the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) auditorium on August 20.

In a separate programme, Health State Minister Dr M A Muhit formally inaugurated the oral cholera vaccination campaign in Tejgaon in the capital.

Under the programme, vaccination has begun in 14 high-risk upazilas and thanas across the country. For complete protection, two doses must be taken at an interval of 14 days. All citizens aged one year and above, except pregnant women, are being administered the vaccine free of charge from 8 am to 5 pm. A total of 51.75 lakh people across the country have been targeted for vaccination under the programme.

In the DSCC areas, around 11.7 lakh people in 17 wards under Lalbagh, Gandaria, Kadamtali and Kamrangirchar thanas will be vaccinated at 192 centres.

The programme is also being conducted in specified areas of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Khilkhet and Tejgaon under Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), as well as in Munshiganj, Kishoreganj, Narayanganj and Brahmanbaria districts.

The oral vaccine is used to prevent cholera caused by infection with the Vibrio cholerae bacterium. The vaccine helps reduce the severity of the disease and can provide protection for several years. Alongside vaccination, emphasis has also been placed on drinking safe water and maintaining proper hygiene.