Afghanistan launched a four‑day anti‑polio vaccination campaign Monday, aiming to immunise 12.8 million children under five nationwide, Xinhua reported. The move, announced by the Ministry of Public Health, includes distribution of polio vaccine drops and albendazole tablets to prevent intestinal worm infections.
Campaign Scope
According to the state‑run media outlet and the official Bakhtar News Agency, the campaign will roll out across all provinces over the period of four days. Targeting 12.8 million children, the effort is the largest polio immunisation drive the country has staged in recent years.
Health Measures and Public Call
Minister of Public Health Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, speaking at the launch, called on Afghan parents to ensure their children receive the vaccine as part of the effort to rid the country of the crippling disease.
"Call on Afghan parents to ensure their children receive the polio vaccine as part of efforts to rid the country of the crippling disease," said the minister.
Health officials added that albendazole tablets would be given alongside the polio shot to curb worm infections that frequently affect children in rural areas.
The campaign launches as part of the government’s push to eliminate polio and other infectious diseases, reinforcing Afghanistan’s delayed but tireless public health initiatives.