Afghanistan Begins Nationwide Polio Vaccination Drive for 12.7 Million Children

On Monday, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health began a nationwide oral polio vaccination drive slated to run through Thursday, with an extra day in southern provinces. The operation seeks to immunise over 12.7 million children under the age of five with oral polio vaccine doses. Ministry spokesperson Sharafat Zaman Amarkhil appealed to tribal elders, religious scholars and parents for full cooperation to ensure success.

The initiative comes as the World Health Organisation notes 25 confirmed wild poliovirus type 1 cases in the country as of September 13. Health officials view the campaign as a critical step in the broader effort to eradicate polio from Afghanistan. Community leaders’ support is deemed essential for reaching remote and conflict-affected areas.