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KABUL, Afghanistan — The Afghan caretaker government has launched a three-day anti-polio vaccination campaign, aiming to protect 4.8 million children under the age of five from the poliovirus. The Ministry of Public Health announced on Monday that the initiative, running from December 24 to December 26, will focus on 11 of the country’s 34 provinces.
Sharafat Zaman Amarkhil, the spokesperson for the ministry, called on tribal elders, religious scholars, and parents to actively participate and support polio workers in carrying out the campaign effectively.
This is the latest in a series of efforts by Afghan health authorities to eliminate the poliovirus. Just two months ago, a similar three-day campaign targeted 6.2 million children in 16 provinces. In that effort, Amarkhil also emphasized the importance of community cooperation in ensuring the success of the program.
“There are no confirmed positive polio cases registered in Afghanistan in 2024,” Amarkhil noted. “The ministry is committed to eradicating this wild virus by launching these vaccine campaigns.”
Earlier this year, Afghanistan conducted its second nationwide anti-polio campaign from June 3 to June 6. During the four-day initiative, over 11.2 million children under the age of five received polio vaccines.
The Ministry of Public Health has reaffirmed its determination to eradicate the virus, with support from international partners, including the World Health Organization. Afghanistan has made significant progress in the fight against polio, with no reported cases of wild poliovirus for five consecutive months as of March 2024.
Polio, a highly infectious disease, is preventable through vaccination. It spreads via contaminated food or water and, in severe cases, can cause paralysis or death. While most infected individuals show no symptoms, some suffer lifelong disabilities.
Acting Minister of Public Health Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali reiterated the ministry’s commitment to safeguarding Afghan children from the disease.
“The Ministry of Public Health is working tirelessly with its partners to ensure that every child is protected from this preventable disease,” Jalali said.
With continued efforts and community cooperation, Afghanistan remains optimistic about its goal of completely eradicating polio.
