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Burkina Faso has one of the highest typhoid burdens in the world. Children younger than 15 years old are most susceptible to this potentially life-threatening illness. Starting today, though, we are adding a highly effective tool to reduce typhoid cases in our country—typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCVs)!
Typhoid in Burkina Faso
Disease burden estimates suggest that there are more than 97,000 cases (428 per 100,000 people) and 1,500 deaths due to typhoid each year in Burkina Faso. Most cases, 75%, are in children younger than 15 years old. This is a large health burden on our children. The burden is not limited to illness but also days missed from school, missed work, and an often-catastrophic financial cost of treatment for families.
TCVs are highly effective in preventing typhoid, with protection lasting at least four years. With such a powerful tool at our disposal, we expect, in the near future, to see a considerable reduction in the burden of this disease and an improvement in the health of our children so that they can flourish.
A campaign to reach 10 million
In Burkina Faso’s seventy (70) health districts, health workers are working to vaccinate more than 10 million children aged 9 months to younger than 14 years old in one week. Vaccination is free of charge for beneficiaries, and will be available at health facilities, schools, places of worship, markets, and other identified mobile sites. We have conducted extensive microplanning to ensure that we reach as many age-eligible children as possible. Our vaccination teams will ensure that no child anywhere misses out.
Once the catch-up campaign is complete, TCV will be introduced nationwide as part of routine immunization for 9-month-olds from January 30, 2025. TCV can be administered safely and effectively alongside other routine vaccines at 9 months, including measles, rubella, and yellow fever.
A first for Francophone Africa
I am immensely proud of the work we have done to introduce TCV in Burkina Faso. We are the first of the Francophone African countries to include TCV in our routine immunization program. Many others are in the decision-making process. Guided by the strong evidence for TCV’s safety and effectiveness, we know that this vaccine will prevent many typhoid cases and deaths for decades to come.
It will also help us prevent drug-resistant typhoid already reported in some countries in the African sub-region. These cases are more difficult to treat and require more expensive medications that are difficult to access. It is important to minimize the spread of drug-resistant typhoid to keep our available antibiotics effective for those who may get sick. TCVs are projected to be one of the most impactful childhood vaccines at preventing drug resistance-associated deaths. I am relieved that children in Burkina Faso will be protected against this disease.
We are dedicated, with the commitment of our governmental authorities, to prioritizing the health and wellbeing of our children. The addition of TCV into our routine immunization schedule is one example. Alongside water, sanitation, and hygiene improvements, TCVs will help us take on typhoid.
Photo: Minister Kargougou administers TCV to a student in Tanghin Dassouri, Burkina Faso. Photo: Build Africa Communication
