Kabul, (TDI): The United Nations said that the Taliban have suspended polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan, raising concerns about the future of global efforts to eradicate the disease.
The polio vaccination campaign suspension comes just as the September immunization drive was about to begin, putting years of progress against polio at risk.
Polio, a highly infectious virus that can cause paralysis and death, remains endemic in Afghanistan.
The Taliban’s decision to halt vaccination efforts is expected to have serious implications both regionally and globally.
No specific reasons were provided for the suspension, and the Taliban-controlled government did not immediately comment.
However, the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that discussions are ongoing about transitioning from traditional house-to-house vaccinations to site-based approaches, such as immunizing at mosques.
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Dr. Hamid Jafari of the WHO confirmed the discussions. “The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is engaged in talks about possibly shifting from house-to-house campaigns to site-to-site strategies in some areas of Afghanistan,” Dr. Jafari said.
“We are currently assessing the potential impact of such changes on vaccination efforts.”
This year, the WHO has recorded 18 confirmed polio cases in Afghanistan, with most reported in the southern region—a significant rise from six cases in 2023.
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Afghanistan’s polio vaccination campaigns have long faced difficulties.
In the southern province of Kandahar, the heart of Taliban leadership, vaccination efforts have often relied on less effective site-based methods instead of the comprehensive house-to-house strategy.
The suspension represents a major setback for the global polio eradication initiative, which requires about $1 billion annually to maintain its efforts.
Despite extensive resources and coordination, the initiative has missed several eradication deadlines and faced challenges, including technical issues and complications from the oral vaccine.
