“The polio programme remains cautious of COVID-19 but with campaigns slowly resuming around the country, the programme has demonstrated that mass immunization can be safely resumed under strict infection prevention and control measures. We need the support of parents and caregivers to ensure that no child is left behind during upcoming vaccination campaigns,” said Dr Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative in Afghanistan.
Polio is incurable and can paralyse children for life. The polio vaccine is the only safe and effective way to prevent children from getting the disease. The Ministry of Public Health urges all parents and caregivers to ensure that all children are vaccinated during each campaign until the age of 5. Repeated vaccines help to build strong immunity among children and the whole community.
Currently, Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only 2 polio-endemic countries in the world.
For more information, please contact:
Merjan Rasekh
Emergency Operations Centre spokesperson
email:
mobile: 0702825101
