RASC News Agency: Following a temporary suspension, the Polio Eradication Campaign Office has announced plans to resume polio vaccination efforts in various provinces of Afghanistan starting tomorrow Monday, December 23. According to the organization, Free Polio Afghanistan, the campaign aims to address childhood paralysis by administering vaccines in multiple regions. However, no specific details have been provided regarding the provinces covered or the campaign’s duration.
The World Health Organization (WHO) previously reported 23 confirmed polio cases in Afghanistan in 2023, a significant rise compared to six cases recorded the previous year, all concentrated in Nangarhar. In 2024, Kandahar has emerged as a hotspot, with 12 confirmed cases. Additional cases have also been documented in Uruzgan, Helmand, Kunar, and Nuristan provinces. WHO data further indicates that environmental surveillance has identified over 91 instances of the poliovirus across Afghanistan in 2024. This positions Afghanistan and Pakistan as the only remaining countries worldwide where polio remains endemic.
The Taliban regime has faced criticism for suppressing information on polio outbreaks. Earlier this year, the return of large numbers of Afghanistani migrants from Pakistan heightened fears of a wider outbreak. Despite the pressing risks, the Taliban temporarily suspended vaccination campaigns, delaying critical immunization efforts. Adding to these challenges, the Taliban have imposed restrictions on door-to-door vaccination campaigns and prohibited female vaccinators from participating. These measures have significantly hindered the reach of vaccination programs, especially in underserved and vulnerable communities.
Experts warn that such limitations could lead to a resurgence of polio, threatening the health and well-being of Afghanistani children.
