The national emergency action plan for polio focuses on improving vaccination quality in the southern provincesA third nationwide immunization campaign will take place in Afghanistan from 16 to 18 of September 2012. Under the campaign 8.3 million children under-5 years of age will receive two drops of anti-polio vaccine. Polio vaccinators will also distribute de-worming tablets among 4.98 million children aged 24–59 months.
Community mobilization will be extensive with the campaign enlisting 776 district coordinators, 4225 cluster supervisors, 80 district supportive teams, 47 282 volunteers, 639 intra-national immunization day monitors and 4382 social mobilizers in efforts to eliminate polio.
The southern region remains the main area in which the polio virus is still circulating. The national emergency action plan for polio focuses on improving vaccination quality in the southern provinces. District management teams have been established to improve the management and quality of the campaign in 13 high-risk districts in the south. Local negotiations with community elders and local commanders are ongoing through regional teams to ensure and improve access in insecure areas.
Related links
Afghanistan vaccinates over 5.7 million children in combined measles and polio campaign
Measles and Rubella Initiative: a global partnership to stop measles and rubella
