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UNICEF urges continued efforts for polio-free Afghanistan
According to the World Health Organization, 42 cases of wild poliovirus type 1 have been recorded in Afghanistan this year.
UNICEF Afghanistan has highlighted the importance of continued national efforts to eradicate polio and vaccinate every child, as the country marks World Polio Day on October 24.
In a message posted on X, UNICEF Afghanistan said the day provides an opportunity to highlight national efforts towards a polio-free Afghanistan and honour frontline workers who work tirelessly to end the disease and ensure every child is vaccinated.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Polio-Free initiative warned on Thursday, October 22, that the presence of the poliovirus in any area could threaten the health of children across the country. The initiative urged the public to cooperate with vaccination campaigns and ensure that no child is left without the vaccine.
The warning comes as polio remains a public health concern in Afghanistan, with the United Nations reporting multiple cases of the disease. According to the World Health Organization, 42 cases of wild poliovirus type 1 have been recorded in Afghanistan this year, while six cases have been reported in neighbouring Pakistan.