Nationwide polio vaccine campaign begins
Kabul, Afghanistan, (25 September 2023): The Ministry of Public Health in collaboration with international partners, today launched the third National Immunization Days (NIDs) campaign for polio eradication for 2023 which will continue for the next four days. The campaign aims to vaccinate more than 11 million children under the age of five against polio. Children aged between 6 and 59 months will also receive Vitamin A which helps keep children’s eyes, skin, and immune system healthy.
“Together with our partners, we are committed to eradicating polio in Afghanistan,” said Dr. Qalandar Ibaad, the Minister of Public Health. “The recent cases of polio are very concerning and until the disease is completely eradicated from the country, polio campaigns and other basic health services will continue.”
“The support of all Afghans, including parents, community leaders, ethnic elders, and religious leaders is significant to eradicate polio and we kindly ask them to take part in the fight against polio to save the children of Afghanistan from permanent paralysis or death,” the Minister added.
Polio is a viral disease that has no cure. It can only be prevented by vaccine. Poliovirus infection can cause permanent paralysis or even death in affected children.
Despite consecutive response campaigns, Afghanistan’s East region continuously reported wild poliovirus isolates in environmental samples for more than a year. With the successful planning and follow up on issues, last month environmental samples were negative for the whole region.
Unfortunately, five confirmed cases of polio have been reported this year, which is of great concern to the government in its efforts to protect Afghan children from this virus.
In the struggle against polio, the support of people and local community elders is crucial. Parents and families can protect their children from permanent paralysis by vaccinating them against polio during the campaign. Leaders can motivate people in their communities to vaccinate their children and support the polio vaccination teams as they carry out the campaign.
