World

Taliban Suspends Polio Vaccination In Afghanistan: UN

On Monday, the United Nations (UN) announced that the Taliban has suspended all polio vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan. The UN received this news just days before the September immunization campaign was scheduled to start. Officials did not provide a reason for the suspension. The Taliban-led government has not yet commented on the situation.

Polio Eradication Faces Challenges

Afghanistan and Pakistan are the last two countries where polio remains endemic. The eradication program in Afghanistan has struggled in recent years. Polio cases have increased, and the virus has spread to new provinces.

UNICEF, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), WHO, and several NGOs work through the Emergency Operating Centre (EOC) to combat this issue. They focus on reaching every child with vaccines and building trust in vaccination efforts.

Current Status and Impact

So far, 16 provinces in Afghanistan have reported 56 cases of Wild Poliovirus type 1 (WPV1). The southern region is the most affected, accounting for 66% of the country’s total cases in 2020.

Despite these challenges, the polio program has maintained a 100% vaccine supply for all activities. The program successfully introduced mOPV2, mOPV1, and tOPV vaccines through improved management.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the program conducted three National Immunisation Days, two Sub-National Immunisation Days, and three Case Response Campaigns. The Taliban’s suspension now creates uncertainty about future vaccination efforts. This raises concerns about the ongoing fight to eliminate polio in Afghanistan.

Also Read: ADB To Support Bangladesh’s Structural Reforms

Ajaypal Choudhary

Recent Posts

MyGov Launches Exciting Contests To Celebrate 11 Years Of Transformative Governance

Marking 11 years of transformative governance, citizen engagement platform MyGov has launched a series of…

1 hour ago

President Murmu And PM Modi Extend Eid Al-Adha Wishes, Call For Unity And Service

On Saturday, President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi extended warm wishes to citizens on occasion…

2 hours ago

JD Vance Resignation Claim Is False; Confirms No Credible Source

Viral claims about US Vice President JD Vance resigning due to tensions between Donald Trump…

3 hours ago

Vikrant Massey Shares Adorable ‘Monkey Business’ Moment With Son In Naples

Actor Vikrant Massey, currently enjoying a family holiday in Naples, Italy, delighted fans by sharing…

3 hours ago

Trending: Eid Al-Adha 2025: The Festival Of Sacrifice Brings Communities Together

Eid al-Adha, also known as Bakri Eid or the festival of sacrifice, stands as one…

3 hours ago

Overcoming Procrastination: Strategies That Help

Discover practical strategies to overcome procrastination, improve focus, and build habits that drive consistent productivity.

4 hours ago