Afghanistan Launches Nationwide Polio Vaccination Drive in 2026

A nationwide polio vaccination campaign is set to commence across Afghanistan in 2026. The three-day program aims to vaccinate approximately 12.6 million children under the age of five…

National Polio Vaccination Campaign Launch

The Afghanistan Polio-Free Initiative has announced that the first phase of the national polio eradication campaign will begin on Monday, April 24, 2026, covering extensive areas throughout the country. Supported financially and technically by international health organizations, this campaign aims to prevent permanent disabilities among children.

Extensive Targeting Amidst Climatic Challenges

This phase of the campaign targets approximately 12.6 million children under five across all provinces, districts, and villages. However, it has been noted that due to cold weather and difficult terrain in central regions, the program will start later in Bamiyan and Daikundi provinces as conditions improve.

Afghanistan and Pakistan: The Last Sanctuaries of the Polio Virus

While nearly every country globally has succeeded in eradicating the polio virus, Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only nations where this disease continues to pose an active threat. Official statistics indicate that in 2025, at least nine confirmed polio cases were recorded in various provinces of Afghanistan, raising significant concerns nationally and internationally.

Call for Family Cooperation with Health Teams

Health officials are urging parents, community leaders, and religious scholars to cooperate in the successful execution of this campaign by allowing all eligible children to receive two drops of the vaccine. Experts emphasize that vaccination is the only effective means to halt the transmission chain of this dangerous virus. Mobile vaccination teams will conduct house-to-house visits to ensure that no child is deprived of these essential services. Coordination with security forces to protect vaccinators in remote areas is also a priority for this program.