The Efforts of a Vaccinator to Protect Children from Polio
Kabul, Afghanistan – Every morning in a remote village of the Chahar Asyab district of Kabul, a familiar scene repeats itself. A young man named Abdul Rahim, undeterred by the cold weather and other challenges, carries a vaccination box on his shoulder and heads to the polio vaccination site in his village.
His sole objective: protecting children from the paralyzing disease of polio.
Having worked as a vaccinator in the polio vaccination campaign for the past eight years, Abdul Rahim, alongside his colleagues, has vaccinated more than 5,000 children.
He says, regarding his work, “I am happy that, through the continuous efforts of my colleagues and me, the children of Chahar Asyab district have been protected from polio. Their health and the happiness of their families are a great achievement for me.”
However, he states that this job is not easy. He and his colleagues face various challenges during their duties, but they have never lost their motivation or spirit.
“Some families have been influenced by misconceptions and false information, and they do not view the polio vaccine positively. As a result, they often treat us poorly. However, we endure all of this with patience because our goal is very noble: the health of children and their protection from the disease of polio,” Abdul Rahim said.
Having worked as a vaccinator in the polio vaccination campaign for the past eight years, Abdul Rahim, alongside his colleagues, has vaccinated more than 5,000 children. © Polio Free Afghanistan/2024/Hosai Ahmadzai
According to him, he has tried to educate such families about the dangers of polio and the importance of vaccination, and to shift their mindset from negative to positive.
Abdul Rahim also has moments of joy alongside the challenges, which he treasures as unforgettable memories. He recounts one such incident: “One day, I traveled to a remote village to vaccinate children. Along the way, two children—a brother and sister—approached me. With great affection, they called out, ‘Uncle! Please give us the vaccine.’ I happily vaccinated them with love. That moment was heartwarming for me.”
He fondly recalls another memory: “One time, in a village, people gathered in support of the polio vaccination campaign and the vaccinators. Among them, an elderly man praised us, saying, ‘Vaccinators are like angels of mercy for our children’s health.’ His words made up for all the hardships we face.”
Abdul Rahim says that despite the challenges, he continues his work with strong determination, hoping that one day Afghanistan will be free from polio and no child will ever contract this crippling disease.
To fulfill this hope, he calls on parents to accept vaccines as an important necessity for the health and well-being of their children, as polio has no cure and can only be prevented through vaccination.
Abdul Rahim is not just a vaccinator; he is an inspiring figure for the community, demonstrating through his efforts and dedication that the health of the country’s children is valuable to him.
Hosai Ahmadzai, Polio Free Afghanistan
