The Taliban has suspended polio vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan, the UN said on September 16. Afghanistan is one of two countries in which the spread of the potentially fatal, paralyzing disease has never been stopped. The other is Pakistan. News of the suspension was relayed to UN agencies right before the September immunization campaign was due to start. No reason was given for the suspension, and no one from the Taliban-controlled government was immediately available for comment. A top official from the World Health Organization (WHO) said it was aware of discussions to move away from house-to-house vaccinations and instead have immunizations in places like mosques. The WHO has confirmed 18 polio cases in Afghanistan this year, up from six cases in 2023.
Taliban Suspends Polio Vaccination In Afghanistan, UN Says
- By AP

Editors' Picks
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
Taliban's Internet Ban Threatens Afghan Women's Livelihoods And Education
2Once Allies, Pakistan And Afghan Taliban Lurch Toward Full-Blown Conflict
3Fierce Fighting, High Number Of Casualties Reported Along Pakistan-Afghanistan Border
4Communications Restored In Afghanistan After 2-Day Blackout
5Afghanistan In Massive Internet Shutdown Amid Taliban 'Morality' Crackdown
6After Internet Restored, Afghans Recount ‘Being Suffocated’ During Blackout
7Afghanistan And Pakistan Agree Cease-Fire After Deadly Air Strikes And Ground Fighting
8Kabul Gripped By Fear Of More Attacks After Suspected Pakistani Air Strikes
9Afghan's Taliban Rulers Release US Citizen From Custody After Trump Envoy's Visit
10Afghanistan, Pakistan To Hold Peace Talks In Doha Amid Fragile Cease-Fire
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.