Taliban Halts Polio Vaccination Campaigns in Afghanistan

The suspension, announced just before a planned immunization drive, threatens years of progress in polio eradication and poses risks for neighboring Pakistan.

The UN confirmed that the Taliban has suspended all polio vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan without providing a reason.
Afghanistan, along with Pakistan, is one of the last countries where polio transmission has never been stopped.
The World Health Organization reported 18 polio cases in Afghanistan this year, up from six in 2023.
Discussions are ongoing about shifting from house-to-house vaccinations to immunizations at sites like mosques, which may be less effective.
The suspension could jeopardize synchronized vaccination efforts in Pakistan, increasing the risk of polio spread due to high population movement between the two countries.