Afghanistan has launched a polio vaccination campaign in Kandahar, Herat, Farah, and Helmand, aiming to immunise children under five and curb virus transmission in vulnerable regions.

The Polio Free Afghanistan has announced a fresh vaccination drive across Kandahar, Herat, Farah, and Helmand provinces, beginning Monday, September 29, targeting children under five.

The organisation said the campaign aims to strengthen immunity levels in vulnerable regions where insecurity and poor access have previously disrupted polio eradication efforts, leaving thousands of children unprotected.

Although exact figures were not released, health experts note that consistent outreach in these provinces is critical to stop the virus from spreading into remote and underserved communities.

This effort follows a vaccination round conducted last month in eastern Afghanistan, where health teams faced logistical hurdles but still managed to reach large numbers of families.

The World Health Organization has reported that Afghanistan recorded two confirmed cases of polio in 2025, one in Badghis and another in Helmand province, underscoring continuing risks.