New Polio Vaccination Campaign Launched in Three Eastern Afghan Provinces

The health organization “Afghanistan Polio-Free” has announced the launch of a new polio vaccination campaign in three eastern provinces of Afghanistan. The program is set to begin next week in several districts of Kunar, Nuristan, and Laghman provinces.

According to a statement released by the organization on Tuesday, October 14, both injectable and oral vaccines will be administered to eligible children during this campaign. The goal of the initiative is to strengthen children’s immunity against the poliovirus.

Although polio vaccination programs have been ongoing in Afghanistan in previous years, restrictions imposed by the Taliban administration on health organizations’ activities—especially the bans on female staff participation—have created significant obstacles in the fight against the disease.

International organizations have warned that if these conditions persist, they could facilitate the return of the poliovirus in certain regions. Nevertheless, Afghan health agencies, in cooperation with local structures, are working to prevent the re-emergence of this disease.