The Taliban-controlled government has canceled the polio vaccination program in Afghanistan. Today, Monday (September 16), the United Nations reported this news. The cancellation of the vaccine campaign made it difficult to eradicate polio worldwide. Because Afghanistan is the most polio-affected area in the world where unvaccinated children will be at serious risk in the future. News AP.
Afghanistan is one of only two countries where an outbreak of the paralytic disease caused by polio has never been stopped. The second country is Pakistan.
News of the suspension was announced to UN agencies just before the vaccination campaign began in September. No reason was given for the suspension. No one was immediately available for comment from the Taliban-controlled government.
A top World Health Organization (WHO) official said the Taliban discourages home-based vaccination. Instead it shows interest in discussing vaccinations in places like mosques.
WHO identified 18 polio cases in Afghanistan this year, compared to 6 cases in 2023.