Kabul, Afghanistan – Mohammad Qayum, a resident of the Qala-e-Chah area in Kabul’s 8th district, is a dedicated vaccinator in the polio vaccination campaigns.
Having completed his education up to the twelfth grade, Qayum not only pursues independent work but also volunteers to administer polio vaccines.
Effort and Commitment
Mohammad Qayum believes that vaccination is a vital measure for eradicating polio from society. Therefore, he considers it his duty to vaccinate every child under the age of five in his area.
In each polio vaccination campaign, Qayum begins his work early in the morning and carries out the immunization process with complete responsibility until evening, ensuring that every child is reached.
He has been working diligently and sincerely for the past eight years to ensure that no child in his area of responsibility is left without the polio vaccine.
He adds that in his area—which pertains to Kabul city's eighth district—he vaccinates approximately 140 children in each campaign.
Because Mohammad Qayum has been working with such dedication in polio vaccination campaigns for years, all the residents of the area now know him and hold his work in high regard.
"It is not only my sense of duty that earns me the respect of the people; in every campaign, parents eagerly bring their children to our team to receive the polio vaccine," Mohammad Qayum explains.
Achievements and Social Impact
During one of the polio vaccination campaigns, Mohammad Qayum encountered a family that had been influenced by rumors and misinformation, and who harbored doubts about the polio vaccine.
The paterfamilias of the family, Mohammad Khalid—who has two daughters and a son—believed that the polio vaccine had no religious basis and was not beneficial.
With honesty and precision, Qayum provided him with practical, documented information about the vaccine’s benefits. He explained how just two drops of the vaccine protect children from polio and prevent the transmission and spread of the virus among them.
This awareness led to a change in Mohammad Khalid’s mindset, and his family began to regularly take advantage of vaccination services.
Mohammad Khalid himself stated, "I previously did not have enough information about vaccines, but after I met Mohammad Qayum during a campaign and he gave me complete information about the polio vaccine, my perspective changed. Since then, I have ensured that my children are vaccinated regularly and have made every effort to ensure they are never deprived of the polio vaccine."
Through his efforts, Mohammad Qayum has convinced dozens of similar families who were once skeptical of the polio vaccine.
His endeavors have not only reduced the spread of the poliovirus in the area but have also fostered trust and unity among the people.
© Polio Free Afghanistan / 2025
Mohammad Qayum believes that vaccination is a vital measure for eradicating polio from society. Therefore, he considers it his duty to vaccinate every child under the age of five in his area.
Religious and Social Support
In this journey, the statements and support of religious scholars play an important role. A renowned religious scholar named Mawlawi Zabiullah considers polio vaccination not just a precautionary measure, but a religious obligation. He emphasizes: "From the Islamic perspective, every form of prevention is obligatory, and safeguarding children's health is a religious and moral responsibility."
This viewpoint further reinforces the credibility of Mohammad Qayum’s activities from both social and religious angles, creating an atmosphere of cooperation and empathy among the people.
Future Hopes
Mohammad Qayum hopes that one day, as a result of his and his colleagues’ tireless efforts, polio will be completely eradicated from Afghanistan.
"My greatest hope is that no child will fall victim to this debilitating and deadly disease due to a lack of access to vaccination," he says.
Conclusion
Mohammad Qayum’s story is one of commitment, effort, and resilience in the face of challenges — a story that demonstrates how the spread of accurate information and individual efforts can bring about positive change in society.
Mohammad Qayum is an example of those whose endeavors and steadfast determination have paved the way in the fight against dangerous diseases like polio.
