Afghanistan Launches National Polio Vaccination Campaign to Protect Millions of Children

A national polio vaccination campaign for 2026 will commence across Afghanistan, aiming to inoculate approximately 12.6 million children under the age of five.

Launch of the National Campaign

According to the Afghanistan Polio-Free Initiative, the first phase of the national polio eradication campaign will kick off on Monday, April 24, 2026, in extensive regions of the country. This three-day initiative will be supported by international health organizations to prevent permanent disabilities among children.

Widespread Targets and Environmental Challenges

During this campaign, the goal is to reach 12.6 million children under five in all provinces, districts, and villages. However, due to cold weather and difficult travel conditions in central regions, the program will be slightly delayed in Bamiyan and Daikundi provinces until weather conditions improve.

Afghanistan and Pakistan: The Last Strongholds of Polio

While nearly all countries have succeeded in eradicating the poliovirus, Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only nations where this disease poses an active threat. Official statistics indicate that at least nine positive cases of polio were recorded in various provinces of Afghanistan in 2025, raising significant concerns both nationally and internationally.

Call for Family Cooperation

Health officials have urged parents, community leaders, and religious scholars to cooperate in the successful implementation of this campaign by allowing all eligible children to receive their two drops of vaccine. Experts emphasize that vaccination is the only effective method to halt the transmission of this dangerous virus. Mobile vaccination teams will visit homes to ensure that no child is overlooked in receiving these vital services. Coordination with security forces to ensure the safety of vaccinators in remote areas is also a top priority for this program.