Seven-Day Polio Vaccination Campaign Launched in Nangarhar

Officials from the Nangarhar Public Health Directorate say a seven-day polio vaccination campaign has been launched in the province. During the campaign, 450,000 children under the age of five will be vaccinated in Jalalabad city and the districts of Behsud, Surkh Rod, and Bati Kot.

Aminullah Sharif, Director of Public Health in Nangarhar, said: “During this campaign, 450,000 children under the age of five will receive polio vaccines through oral drops and injections. We will reach all designated areas and strive to eliminate environmental polio cases across all target locations.”

Hukam Khan Gulabzoi, head of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in the eastern region, said: “The campaign will continue for seven days and will be implemented with the support of 2,200 volunteers, 216 supervisors, 43 coordinators, and 1,100 female vaccinators.”

Meanwhile, local residents of Nangarhar welcomed the launch of the campaign and urged families to ensure their children receive the polio vaccine.

Ehsanullah, a resident of Nangarhar, said: “I urge all citizens to vaccinate their children during the polio campaign so that this unfortunate disease can be eradicated from our country.”

Shafiq, another resident of Nangarhar, said: “Religious scholars and community elders should encourage families that do not vaccinate their children and raise awareness so that all children receive the polio vaccine.”

During the launch of the campaign, a public awareness workshop was held for local, national, and international journalists in Nangarhar to help them play a positive role in informing the public and raising awareness about polio prevention.