WHO Urges Vaccination for All Children in Afghanistan Amid Polio Risks
The World Health Organization (WHO) office in Afghanistan has issued a statement emphasizing the importance of vaccinating all children in the country against preventable and dangerous diseases.
According to Dr. Mandeep Rathie, head of the WHO Polio Program in Afghanistan, equal and timely access to vaccines is not only a public health priority but also a moral obligation to protect future generations.
Health experts warn that continued challenges in Afghanistan’s healthcare system and the declining access to vaccination services for families have increased the risk of outbreaks of diseases such as polio.
While international organizations like the WHO continue to underline the critical importance of these vaccination programs, the Taliban administration has repeatedly restricted or suspended polio vaccination drives in certain areas and has limited the operational freedom of implementing agencies.
Public health activists say the Taliban’s lack of attention to public health responsibilities poses a serious threat to the health of millions of Afghan children.
