8.3m children vaccinated against measles in 17 provinces: MoPH

KABUL (Pajhwok): Around 8.3 million children have been vaccinated against measles during a national immunization campaign conducted across 17 provinces, with plans to extend the drive to 17 additional provinces soon.

In a statement, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) said the measles vaccination campaign was carried out by its National Immunization Program with financial support from the GAVI Alliance and technical assistance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.

The campaign covered 17 provinces — Kabul, Balkh, Badakhshan, Takhar, Panjshir, Logar, Paktia, Maidan Wardak, Ghazni, Paktika, Daikundi, Ghor, Faryab, Badghis, Baghlan, Bamyan and Sar-i-Pul — targeting children aged six months to ten years.

“This achievement marks an important step toward protecting Afghan children’s health and strengthening their immunity against measles,” the statement added.

According to the MoPH, the second phase of the campaign will soon begin in 17 more provinces to ensure all eligible children are vaccinated under the national program.

hz/sa