Polio free Afghanistan has urged parents to ensure their children receive timely polio vaccinations, warning that immunization remains the only effective protection against the crippling disease as Afghanistan continues its fight to eliminate the virus.
The organization called on families to participate in vaccination campaigns, saying widespread public cooperation is essential to eradicating polio and protecting children from preventable diseases.
In a statement posted on X on Thursday, the organization said timely vaccination shields children from serious illnesses and helps prevent lifelong disabilities associated with poliovirus infection.
Afghanistan remains one of only two countries in the world where wild poliovirus is still endemic, alongside neighboring Pakistan. Health officials have repeatedly warned that continued transmission on both sides of the border poses a major obstacle to global eradication efforts.
International health agencies, including the World Health Organization and UNICEF, have stressed that every missed child increases the risk of new outbreaks, particularly in communities with low vaccination coverage and limited access to healthcare.
Efforts to eliminate polio in Afghanistan continue to face significant challenges, including insecurity, restrictions on access to remote areas, population movement across the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, and limited public awareness about the importance of vaccination.
Health authorities have repeatedly emphasized that children must receive every recommended dose of the polio vaccine to achieve full protection, warning that incomplete immunization leaves communities vulnerable to continued transmission of the virus.
