KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says about 92.5% of children aged six months to 10 years were vaccinated against measles across Afghanistan in 2025, as the country grapples with a sharp rise in cases of the highly contagious disease.
In a post on X on Thursday, UNICEF said that the nationwide vaccination campaign was carried out with the support of international partners to protect children from measles outbreaks.
UNICEF described sustainable investment in vaccination programs as life-saving, stating it represents “not just progress on paper, but saves lives, one child at a time.”
UNICEF did not provide the exact number of children reached during the campaign.
Measles remains one of the deadliest childhood diseases in Afghanistan, where malnutrition, poverty, and limited access to healthcare raise the risk of infection. According to the UN, at least 357 people, mostly children under five, died from measles across the country during the first six months of 2025.
UN agencies have repeatedly warned that outbreaks increase during the colder months, when families have more difficulty reaching health centers. They have urged parents to ensure children receive vaccinations on time.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s healthcare system has been under severe strain since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. International funding cuts and restrictive policies have disrupted service delivery across the country.
Hundreds of health facilities have closed in recent years, mainly due to funding shortages, according to the UN. Remaining clinics often face shortages of staff, medicines, and medical equipment.
Despite persistent challenges, demand for health services continues to rise, with the UN estimating that about 14.4 million people require assistance in 2026. The organization has requested $190.8 million to provide essential healthcare to roughly half of those in urgent need, but it remains uncertain whether the appeal will be fully funded amid declining humanitarian support.
