The Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan has announced the launch of a polio vaccination campaign for approximately 5.3 million children under the age of five in 11 provinces of the country.
In a press release, the ministry stated that the campaign began on Monday, November 25 and will run until November 27.
According to the announcement, around 5.3 million children under five years old will receive the polio vaccine during this campaign in the southern, eastern, central, northeastern, and western zones of the country.
In Herat province, the campaign will be carried out from November 30 to December 2.
Furthermore, Ministry of Public Health, has urged families to ensure that all children under five years old are vaccinated during this campaign.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has warned of an increase in polio cases in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
According to the organization’s data, 72 polio cases have been reported this year, including 23 cases in Afghanistan and 49 cases in Pakistan.
Afghanistan and Pakistan are the last two countries in the world where polio has not been eradicated and continues to affect children.
The ongoing presence of polio in Afghanistan and Pakistan underscores the critical need for sustained vaccination efforts to protect children from the debilitating disease. Despite challenges, these vaccination campaigns are a vital step toward eliminating polio in the region.
The international community, alongside local authorities, must continue to prioritize polio eradication, ensuring that every child, regardless of their location, has access to life-saving vaccines.
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