The ministry’s spokesperson said the campaign aims to vaccinate more than 2.58 million children in Nangarhar, Kunar, Kabul, Herat and Farah.

Sharafat Zaman Amarkhil said: “In 14 districts of Nangarhar, children from birth to 59 months will receive oral polio vaccine, while children aged 4 to 59 months will receive a fractional injectable polio vaccine.”

A polio vaccination team in one of Kabul’s districts is working to protect children under five from the poliovirus by administering two drops of the vaccine.

Sayed Sanaullah, a vaccinator, said: “Since this is a clinic area and we are here for vaccination, families are cooperating well. So far, we have vaccinated 60 children.”

Eimal Hotak, a health worker, said: “Polio is a contagious disease and can spread from one person to another. Last year, more positive cases were recorded in Pakistan than in Afghanistan, and many migrants have now returned to the country. The best thing families can do is vaccinate their children to prevent the disease from spreading in Afghanistan.”

Meanwhile, some citizens, concerned about the presence of positive polio cases, are calling for greater public awareness about the disease and vaccination campaigns.