In Afghanistan, frontline health workers explain to parents why the polio vaccine must be delivered multiple times. Afghanistan is one of the last areas in the world where wild poliovirus still circulates, and has the highest number of children paralyzed by the virus. In 2017, there were altogether 14 cases and so far in 2018, there have been three confirmed cases.
To answer to the challenge, the polio eradication initiative has stepped up efforts to detect any viruses in the environment. The programme is taking special steps in the eastern and southern regions to reach all children with the vaccine every time the vaccinators pass by, as these are very high risk areas for polio transmission, with people moving in and out of neighbouring Pakistan. Special outreach tactics are concurrently aiming to reach and immunize ‘mobile populations’, such as nomadic people, who are at high risk of contracting polio.
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