Polio vaccination drive kicked off in 18 provinces today

KABUL (Pajhwok): A polio vaccination campaign has been launched in 18 provinces of Afghanistan, aiming to vaccinate 7.3 million children under the age of five.

According to a post by the Polio Free Afghanistan programme on X, the campaign will cover Kabul, Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar, Nuristan, Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Ghazni, Kandahar, Helmand, Uruzgan, Zabul, Balkh, Faryab, Kunduz, Herat, and Badghiz from February 2 to 4.

The vaccination drive in Kandahar, Helmand, Uruzgan, and Zabul provinces will continue from February 3 to 5, while in four districts of Faryab and Badghiz, it will take place from February 9 to 11 to ensure better preparedness.

Minister of Public Health Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali emphasized the government’s commitment, stating: “The Ministry of Public Health is determined to stop the spread of the wild polio virus in Afghanistan in cooperation with its partners. We are continuing polio vaccination campaigns and providing health supplementation services to achieve the goal of complete eradication of polio across the country.”

He also highlighted the crucial role of community support: “Religious scholars, tribal elders, parents, and other influential figures across the country should support vaccinators so they can actively participate in the fight against polio and protect the health of their children.”

Polio is a viral disease that currently has no cure and can only be prevented through vaccination.

hz/sa