Afghanistan Launches Polio Vaccination Drive Targeting 7.4 Million Children

Afghanistan Launches Polio Vaccination Drive Targeting 7.4 Million Children
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Afghanistan has launched a nationwide polio vaccination campaign across 17 provinces, aiming to immunize 7.4 million children under the age of five, the Health Ministry announced on Monday — a development first reported by Khaama Press.

The fourth campaign of 2025 will run from November 24 to 27 and will be conducted in 179 districts, including major provinces such as Kabul, Nangarhar, Logar, Kandahar, and Herat, with support from international health partners.

While Afghanistan has made progress in reducing polio cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that transmission risk remains high in southern regions bordering Pakistan. Four cases of type 1 wild poliovirus have been detected in Afghanistan this year, alongside 24 in Pakistan.

As the last two countries where polio remains endemic, Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to face challenges linked to insecurity and difficult terrain. Health authorities stress that reaching remote communities is vital, and sustained international assistance remains crucial to achieving global polio eradication.