Afghanistan to Launch National Polio Vaccination Campaign in 2026

The national vaccination campaign against polio is set to commence across Afghanistan in 2026. During this three-day initiative, approximately 12.6 million children under five years old are expected to be vaccinated…

Launch and Support of the Campaign

According to the Afghanistan Polio-Free Initiative, the first round of the national campaign to combat polio will begin on Monday, April 24, 2026, across many regions of the country. This three-day event will be supported financially and technically by international health organizations in a bid to prevent permanent disabilities in children.

Targeting the Vulnerable Amid Climatic Challenges

This campaign aims to reach 12.6 million children under five years old in all provinces, districts, and villages. However, officials have announced that due to cold weather and difficult terrain in central regions, the initiative will start with slight delays in Bamyan and Daikundi provinces until conditions improve.

Afghanistan and Pakistan: The Last Strongholds of Polio Virus

While nearly all countries worldwide have succeeded in eradicating the polio virus, Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only nations where this disease poses an ongoing threat. Official statistics reveal that at least nine positive cases of polio were reported in various provinces of Afghanistan in 2025, raising serious concerns both nationally and internationally. For further context on the challenges faced by Afghan children, the UN Report Highlights Dire Educational and Health Challenges for Afghan Refugee Children in Pakistan provides useful insights.

Call for Community Collaboration

Health officials have urged parents, community leaders, and religious figures to work together to ensure the success of this campaign, allowing all eligible children to receive the two drops of the vaccine. Experts stress that vaccination is the only effective means to break the transmission chain of this dangerous virus. Mobile vaccination teams will go door to door to ensure that no child is deprived of these essential services. Coordination with security forces to protect vaccinators in remote areas has also been highlighted as a priority for this program.