KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Afghanistan Polio-Free organization has announced the initiation of a new polio vaccination campaign set to begin on Monday, December 23, across various provinces.
The organization announced the drive in a post on X but did not disclose specific details regarding the targeted provinces and the campaign’s duration.
This development follows a previous vaccination effort conducted from October 28 to 30, which marked the resumption of polio immunization activities after a suspension that began in mid-September.
The suspension was reportedly triggered by the Taliban authorities’ requirement for male guardians to accompany female vaccinators, a restriction that hindered the campaign’s progress.
This disruption in vaccination efforts has raised serious concerns about the heightened risk of outbreaks, particularly in regions with already low immunization coverage.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Afghanistan has reported 23 cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in 2024, a significant increase from six cases in 2023.
These cases have been predominantly concentrated in the southern provinces, including Kandahar, Urozgan, Helmand, Kunar, and Nuristan.
The resurgence of polio cases has been exacerbated by challenges in vaccination efforts, particularly restrictions on female health workers, whose role is crucial in reaching households in conservative areas where male workers are often not permitted entry. Their exclusion has raised concerns among health experts about the increased vulnerability of children to polio outbreaks.
Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only countries where polio is endemic. Both nations have faced significant obstacles in eradicating the virus, including security concerns and misinformation about vaccination campaigns.
The WHO has emphasized the importance of uninterrupted vaccination campaigns to prevent the spread of polio.
