Kabul: Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health has announced the commencement of the first nationwide polio vaccination campaign of 2026. The campaign, supported by international partners, aims to completely eradicate poliomyelitis across the country.
At the launch ceremony, Mawlavi Noor Jalal Jalali, Minister of Public Health of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to halting the spread of the polio virus.
The three-day campaign will begin on Monday, targeting approximately 12.6 million children under five years old throughout all regions of Afghanistan. However, vaccination activities in Daikundi and Bamyan provinces have been postponed due to cold weather, and the campaign will start one week later in Ghor province.
The Minister urged religious scholars, community elders, and parents to actively support the vaccination teams and protect children’s health. He emphasized the ministry’s ongoing dedication to vaccination programs until polio is fully eradicated.
In addition, Vitamin A supplements will be distributed to children aged 6 to 59 months during the campaign to boost their immune systems and overall health.
