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Pakistan Introduces New Vaccine to Fight Typhoid

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - Pakistan is the first country in the world to
   introduce a new vaccine into its routine immunization program for
   children to try to contain an ongoing "extensively drug-resistant
   (XDR)" outbreak of typhoid.

   The outbreak, which hit Pakistan in 2016, has infected more than 10,000
   people, mostly in the southern Sindh province. At risk of spreading
   internationally, it is caused by a so-called "superbug" bacterial
   strain that has evolved extensively to become drug-resistant.

   "In 2017, 63% of typhoid cases and 70% of typhoid deaths in Pakistan
   were among children younger than 15 years of age," noted Friday's
   official announcement made in connection with vaccination drive.

   With funding support from Geneva-based GAVI vaccine alliance, Pakistani
   officials said Friday, the two-week campaign began in urban areas of
   Sindh, targeting 10 million children between 9 months and 15 years old.
   

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