Polio-Free Afghanistan Urges Vaccination for All Border Travelers

The “Polio-Free Afghanistan” initiative has warned that all travelers crossing the borders with Pakistan and Iran must be vaccinated against polio.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the organization said that people of all ages should receive the polio vaccine when entering or exiting Afghanistan at border crossings.

Previously, the initiative had emphasized that returning children from Pakistan must be vaccinated at border points to prevent the spread of the virus.

Reports indicate that positive polio cases in Pakistan have increased this year, raising concerns about cross-border transmission and public health risks in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has also recorded two positive polio cases this year in the provinces of Badghis and Helmand, highlighting the continued presence of the disease despite vaccination campaigns.

Polio, or “childhood paralysis,” remains endemic in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, and global health experts stress that cross-border immunization is essential to eradicate the virus.

Years of conflict, limited healthcare access, and vaccine hesitancy have complicated eradication efforts, making routine vaccination at borders a critical preventive measure for Afghanistan.

Health authorities say that strict vaccination protocols at international crossings, alongside awareness campaigns, are vital to prevent new outbreaks and protect children from lifelong paralysis.

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