In preparation for the upcoming Sinhala Hindu New Year, the Epidemiology Division, under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, has launched a special vaccination program targeting 50,000 individuals involved in cooking, manufacturing, and marketing-related jobs throughout Sri Lanka. The initiative aims to administer the “Typhoid” vaccine to individuals most at risk of exposure to the disease.
The program is being conducted based on a priority list formulated using data on the spread and incidence of “Typhoid” or typhoid fever in the country. According to statistics collected over the years, the highest prevalence of typhoid has been observed among those working in the cooking, manufacturing, and marketing sectors. Therefore, the vaccination program is being implemented with a particular focus on these industries, as confirmed by Dr. Thilanga Ruwan Pathirana of the Epidemiology Division.
The vaccination provides protection against typhoid disease, thereby minimizing the risk of its spread. The program is designed to ensure broad coverage across the nation, with regional epidemiologists deployed to all districts. These efforts are being coordinated through data gathered from 358 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Divisions across the island.
The vaccination drive is specifically targeting mobile food vendors, restaurant workers, food sellers operating in crowded places, and those involved in cooking, selling, and distributing food to educational institutions, schools, and other organizations.
Health authorities have recommended that the vaccine be administered every three years to maintain effective protection against typhoid. This vaccination program, offered free of charge under the guidance of the Ministry of Health, is expected to significantly reduce the incidence of the disease in high-risk populations.
For further information about this vaccination program, individuals are encouraged to contact the Epidemiology Division or the Medical Officer of Health offices located throughout the country.
