AFGHANISTAN: Polio drive targets up to eight million

Photo: Tasal/IRIN

Up to eight million children must receive polio vaccine drops in the last round of immunization this year

KABUL, 12 November 2009 (IRIN) - The sixth and last polio immunization campaign in 2009 begins on 15 November across Afghanistan: Up to eight million under-five children are expected to receive the oral vaccine, according to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).

About 54,000 volunteers and health workers will conduct the exercise, despite insecurity which is increasingly impeding humanitarian access.

"The MoPH has not engaged in direct talks with the armed opposition for access but through tribal elders we have tried to raise awareness about the importance of polio vaccination for all children," Farid Raaid, MoPH's spokesman, told IRIN.

In September Taliban insurgents reportedly endorsed a three-day polio immunization in areas under their influence.

Five polio immunization campaigns have been carried out so far in 2009: Some threats and attacks by armed groups were reported, particularly in insecure southern provinces.

About 15 percent of Afghan children miss out on different immunizations, according to the country's latest National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment.

The 15 November drive will cost US$4 million - funded by UN agencies, Rotary International and other donors, Raaid said.

Photo: MAP/WHO

Afghanistan and Pakistan are two of the four countries in the world where wild poliovirus transmission has never been interrupted (see enlarged map)

Most polio cases in south

Poliomyelitis has been virtually eradicated in the relatively secure north and central parts of Afghanistan but the virus has remained endemic in the insecure south and southeast, according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO).

Of the total 25 polio cases confirmed so far this year, 22 were reported in the two southern provinces of Kandahar and Helmand and one each in Nooristan, Ghor and Kapisa provinces, the MoPH said. Last year 31 polio cases were reported country-wide.

Lack of awareness, and population movements, and the return of refugees from Pakistan, are other factors militating against effective anti-polio coverage.

Afghanistan and Pakistan are two of the four countries in the world where wild poliovirus transmission has never been interrupted. In Pakistan 118 polio cases were reported in 2008 and 32 in 2007, according to WHO.

Vitamin A drops

During the immunization period about 6.8 million children aged 6-56 months will receive oral drops of Vitamin A which, MoPH officials said, enhances body resistance against flu, pneumonia and other cold-related diseases.

Afghanistan has one of the highest infant morality rates in the world and global and severe acute malnutrition are at 19.7 percent and 6.7 percent respectively among under-five children, according to WHO.

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