Afghanistan’s health ministry has launched a nationwide polio vaccination campaign targeting over 12.7 million children under five, amid ongoing challenges in eradicating the virus and calls for community support to improve coverage.
Afghanistan’s health ministry has launched a nationwide polio vaccination drive aimed at reaching more than 12.7 million children under the age of five, as authorities step up efforts to contain the virus after a year of repeated campaigns. The oral polio vaccine drive began on Monday and is due to run through Thursday, with an extra day scheduled in southern provinces, according to the Ministry of Public Health.
Ministry spokesperson Sharafat Zaman Amarkhil called on tribal elders, religious scholars and parents to help vaccinators reach children across the country. Health officials say cooperation from community leaders remains crucial in areas where access, security and public trust can still limit coverage.
The campaign comes against a worrying backdrop. A World Health Organisation report cited in coverage by Bernama said Afghanistan had recorded 25 confirmed cases of wild poliovirus type 1 as of 13 September. That figure underlines how fragile progress remains in one of the world’s last two polio-endemic countries.
The latest effort follows several earlier vaccination rounds this year. Afghanistan’s health ministry said in April that it had launched the first national polio campaign of 2026, targeting about 12.6 million children, while a February subnational drive aimed to reach roughly 7.3 million children in 18 provinces. In previous campaigns, Health Minister Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali has repeatedly urged parents and local influencers to support vaccination teams and help stop wild poliovirus transmission.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
