Second Round of Measles Vaccination Completed in 17 Afghan Provinces
The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has announced the completion of the second round of measles vaccination in Afghanistan. During this phase, eight million children in 17 warm-climate provinces were vaccinated.
This phase, which began on October 29, targeted children aged six months to ten years. According to WHO, this vaccination effort was part of a nationwide campaign to combat the spread of measles and address the concerningly low rates of routine childhood immunizations in Afghanistan.
In the first phase of the campaign, which was conducted in the country’s colder provinces, 8.3 million children were vaccinated. Altogether, more than 16.6 million children have received measles vaccines across the two phases. The World Health Organization described the campaign’s over 91% coverage rate as a “significant achievement” in promoting children’s health.
UNICEF’s representative in Afghanistan, Tajudeen Oyewale, also hailed the successful completion of this phase as a crucial step toward saving children’s lives in the country. He emphasized that no child should die due to a lack of vaccines.
The vaccination campaigns come at a time when the Taliban-run administration, despite the urgent need for basic health services, lacks the managerial capacity and necessary support to develop and sustain long-term health programs. International organizations have consistently warned that without strong support and effective implementation of nationwide health initiatives, preventable childhood diseases could pose a serious threat.
