New Round of Polio Vaccination Campaign Begins in Herat

Herat’s Public Health Directorate has announced that the second round of the polio vaccination campaign will begin on Monday in Herat city and Injil district. Around 304,000 children under the age of five are expected to be vaccinated against the disease during this phase.

Dr. Ghulam Mohammad Hanifi, deputy head of the directorate, said the main goal of this campaign is the complete eradication of the poliovirus in Herat and to prevent its spread, especially among children.

Amid growing concerns over deteriorating health conditions, health officials assured that the polio vaccine is completely safe for children and remains the most effective way to ensure immunity against the disease.

Herat, a border province with Iran, faces heightened risk of polio transmission due to heavy cross-border movement. However, widespread vaccination requires public support and cooperation, which remains challenged under Taliban rule by issues such as weak public outreach, closure of some health centers, and restrictions on national health programs, particularly those involving rural areas and female health workers.