Which country became the first in the world to introduce WHO-approved Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine?

Typhoid fever remains a significant public health challenge globally, particularly in regions with inadequate sanitation. The development and introduction of effective vaccines are crucial for disease control.

• Pakistan holds the distinction of being the first country in the world to introduce the WHO-approved Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) into its routine immunization program. This landmark initiative occurred in November 2019, primarily to combat the rising burden of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid, which posed a severe threat to public health in the country.
• While India, China, and Bangladesh also face typhoid challenges and have robust immunization programs, Pakistan was the pioneer in adopting the WHO-approved TCV for routine use.