Afghanistan Vaccinates Over 8 Million Children in Major Measles Immunization Push

Afghanistan Vaccinates Over 8 Million Children in Major Measles Immunization Push
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More than eight million children across Afghanistan have been vaccinated against measles during the second phase of a nationwide immunization drive, UNICEF said on Wednesday, Reuters reported. The 10-day campaign, completed earlier this month, aimed to reduce the ongoing threat posed by repeated measles outbreaks.

The latest phase targeted children aged 6 months to 10 years in 17 provinces classified as hot-climate regions. According to UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the campaign reached more than 8.35 million children—representing 91.7% of those identified as at risk.

Nearly 4 million children under 10 also received oral polio vaccines in six southern and southeastern provinces as part of a related effort to strengthen routine immunization.

This phase builds on the first round of vaccinations conducted in October, which covered 8.3 million children in 17 cold-climate provinces. In total, more than 16.6 million Afghan children have received measles vaccines across all 34 provinces, according to UNICEF and WHO officials.

The campaign follows concerns over low vaccination uptake. National survey data from 2022–2023 shows that only 51% of Afghan children had received their first measles dose and just 37% their second—levels far below global disease-control recommendations.

Officials from WHO and UNICEF praised the collaboration of community workers and local authorities, while warning that sustained investment in Afghanistan’s routine immunization system is essential to closing immunity gaps and preventing resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases.