Mass Oral Cholera Vaccination Campaign in Bangladesh Yields Promising Results

Strategic Insights -

The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners in Bangladesh conducted a mass Oral Cholera Vaccination (OCV) campaign in 2025, targeting both Rohingya refugees and host communities. The campaign covered 33 camps and reached an unprecedented 103.6% of the targeted population, vaccinating 976,751 people. The effort demonstrated the importance of careful planning, coordination, and equitable distribution to control cholera outbreaks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The campaign reached 976,751 people, with 103.6% coverage, indicating a significant reduction in cholera cases.
  • Children made up 42% (410,235) of those vaccinated, highlighting the importance of targeting vulnerable populations.
  • The campaign was built on months of careful planning and coordination, including technical preparations, training of vaccinators, and data documentation.
  • The success of the campaign led to a fivefold reduction in confirmed cholera cases, from 170 in December to 32 by the end of January 2025.
  • A second OCV round in April 2025 reached 177,222 children aged 1--5 years, further strengthening the health system against cholera and other infectious diseases.
  • Improved WASH services and ongoing surveillance were combined with vaccination efforts, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to cholera control.
  • A cholera preparedness simulation exercise in May 2025 refined outbreak protocols and reinforced multisectoral collaboration, ensuring a rapid response in future emergencies.

Statistics:

  • 976,751 people were vaccinated, with a coverage rate of 103.6%.
  • Children made up 42% (410,235) of those vaccinated.
  • 170 confirmed cholera cases were reported in December 2024, reducing to 32 by the end of January 2025, a fivefold reduction.
  • 177,222 children aged 1--5 years were vaccinated in the second OCV round in April 2025.
  • The campaign achieved 103.6% coverage, possibly due to a refugee influx and denominator inaccuracies.

Sources:

  • World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/01-january-2025-mass-or-al-cholera-vaccination-campaign-kicks-off-in-bangladesh)
  • World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/oral-cholera-vaccine)