UNICEF warns over rising polio cases in Afghanistan

Concerns are growing over the increase in Polio cases in Afghanistan, with international agencies warning that gaps in vaccination efforts could pose risks not only within the country but across the wider region.

According to reports cited from Afghan media outlet Khaama Press, the United Nations Children’s Fund has expressed serious concern over the spread of polio and has urged authorities to intensify vaccination campaigns, particularly for children under the age of five.

UNICEF stressed that every child in Afghanistan must receive polio vaccination to help eliminate the disease and prevent lifelong disability. The organisation highlighted that ongoing challenges, including insecurity, limited healthcare access, and difficulties reaching remote areas, are hampering immunisation efforts.

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Health experts warn that disruptions to public health programmes have weakened polio eradication initiatives, raising fears of continued transmission. They caution that without sustained vaccination coverage, outbreaks could spread beyond Afghanistan’s borders.

Public health specialists further note that vaccination campaigns require consistent access and cooperation from local authorities to ensure effective coverage. They emphasise that missed immunisations leave vulnerable populations at risk, especially in hard-to-reach rural regions.

The warning comes amid broader concerns about healthcare system limitations in Afghanistan, where international aid agencies continue to support disease prevention and vaccination programmes.

UNICEF reiterated that strengthening routine immunisation and expanding outreach efforts are essential steps toward eliminating polio in the region and protecting children from permanent paralysis.

Experts say coordinated global and regional efforts will be critical to preventing a resurgence of the disease and ensuring long-term public health security.