Polio Vaccination Campaign begins in Afghanistan

A nationwide polio vaccination campaign has started in Afghanistan, aiming to vaccinate over 11 million children under five years old.

The Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan has announced the launch of a new polio vaccination campaign across the country, starting today, Monday, April 21. The campaign aims to reach over 11 million children under the age of five.

The national polio vaccination drive, which started today in all provinces of Afghanistan, will target approximately 11.6 million children under the age of five. Dr. Sharafat Zaman Amarkhil, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health, confirmed that health teams will carry out door-to-door vaccinations to ensure that no child is left behind.

Amarkhil emphasized the importance of family cooperation during this campaign and urged all parents to prepare their children for vaccination. He stressed that the involvement of families is crucial to the success of this initiative.

Polio, also known as poliomyelitis or child paralysis, is a contagious viral disease that primarily affects children under the age of five. Afghanistan remains one of the two countries where polio cases are still reported. Despite extensive efforts to eradicate the virus over the years, challenges such as insecurity, inaccessibility to remote areas, and resistance from some families have made the complete eradication of the disease difficult.

The authorities continue to push for a polio-free future despite the hurdles, with vaccination campaigns being critical to achieving this goal. International health organizations are working together to ensure that no child suffers from this preventable disease.

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