WHO Urges Resumption of Door-to-Door Polio Vaccination Campaigns in Afghanistan
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on the Taliban administration to resume door-to-door polio vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan. The organization stated that the suspension of these campaigns since October 2024 has made it difficult to reach all children, especially young ones.
In a report released on Friday, November 12, WHO announced that since the beginning of 2026, 25 cases of polio have been confirmed in Afghanistan.
According to WHO, vaccination at fixed centers cannot cover all children, resulting in some being deprived of the vaccine. The organization also identified the limited involvement of female vaccinators—particularly in southern Afghanistan—as a challenge to accessing children, noting that these women play a crucial role in reaching mothers and children.
The report further highlighted southern Afghanistan as one of the most concerning areas for polio transmission, where low population immunity continues to facilitate widespread virus spread.
