KABUL, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan interim government's Ministry of Public Health, in coordination with partner agencies, launched a national anti-polio campaign on Monday, spokesman of the ministry Sharafat Zaman said.
Some 11.8 million children under 5 would receive immunity vaccine against the crippling poliovirus under the campaign, according to the state-owned Bakhtar news agency.
The official also called upon his fellow Afghans to take their children to administer the vaccines during the campaign that will conclude on Thursday.
During the campaign, health teams would also administer Mebendazole tablets, a deworming medication used to treat intestinal worm infections, contributing to improved child health and nutrition for children between 24 and 59 months of age.
Afghanistan reportedly registered 25 cases of polio in 2024 and the interim government has been working hard to eradicate the crippling poliovirus from the post-war country. ■
