Polio vaccination drive launched in east

JALALABAD (PAN): A polio vaccination campaign covering around hundreds of thousands of  children got under way in eastern Nangarhar and Nuristan provinces on Sunday, officials said.

The three-day drive began following complaints from nomadic Kochis in the eastern zone that thousands of their children had not been vaccinated against the crippling disease during the previous round.

Public Health Director Baz Mohammad Sherzad told Pajhwok Afghan News that the volunteers would administer polio drops to 860,000 children under five years of age.

“Another 512,000 children aged more than two years will be give deworming pills,” he said, adding the campaign involved 5,700 volunteers. The official urged parents to ensure their children were vaccinated.

Dr. Sherzad said four polio cases had been detected this year, two each in the border areas of Nangarhar and Kunar provinces.

Deputy Governor Mohammad Hanif Gardiwal stressed all children across the country should be administered the vaccine. “The campaign should cover all areas, secure or otherwise.”

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