Afghanistan Reaches 8.9 Million Children in First Phase of Nationwide Measles Campaign

Kokcha News Agency reports that the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with Afghanistan’s National Expanded Programme on Immunization (NEPI), have successfully completed the first phase of a nationwide measles vaccination campaign. Supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the campaign reached around 8.9 million children aged 6 months to 10 years in 17 cold-climate provinces.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases and a leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths among children. In Afghanistan, where access to routine immunization is limited and many children face challenges such as malnutrition, measles can lead to serious health complications, including pneumonia, blindness, and even death.

In 2024, over 9,300 measles cases were reported, and by August 2025, another 8,500 cases had been recorded. The number of outbreaks also increased, rising from 127 in 2023 to 430 in 2024. Nearly 92% of cases were in children under 10 years of age. Prior to the nationwide vaccination campaign, only 55% of children had received their first dose of the measles vaccine, and just 44% had received a second dose. These gaps in coverage left many children unprotected, allowing the disease to spread.

Afghanistan is committed to eliminating measles. Vaccination efforts and high immunization coverage are vital to achieving this goal, protecting communities, and preventing future outbreaks, both locally and across borders.

Dr. Edwin Ceniza Salvador, WHO Representative in Afghanistan, stated, “Measles is a deadly but preventable disease, and in a country like Afghanistan, where too many children are vulnerable, vaccination is a lifeline. The successful completion of phase 1 of this nationwide campaign marks a vital step in protecting millions of children from illness, disability, and death. We are deeply grateful to the tireless health workers, volunteers, and partners who made this effort possible, often in the most challenging conditions. WHO remains firmly committed to supporting Afghanistan’s health system to ensure that no child is left behind.”

Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF Representative to Afghanistan, added, “No child in Afghanistan should die from a disease we know how to prevent. Measles is not only a deadly disease but also an alarm bell for gaps in immunization coverage and health equity. Every outbreak reveals where children have been left behind. The success of the first phase of the nationwide vaccination campaign is an important step forward, but now our focus must turn to closing immunity gaps and integrating this effort into routine immunization. With stronger systems, equitable access, and unwavering resolve, we can protect every child in Afghanistan from preventable diseases like measles.”

The two-phase nationwide campaign has been designed to achieve at least 95% coverage among children aged 6 months to 10 years, identify and vaccinate children missed in previous rounds, and strengthen routine immunization services for long-term protection.

With the conclusion of the first phase, WHO, UNICEF, and their partners remain in close coordination with national health authorities to consolidate progress and prepare for the next phase of the campaign, ensuring that no child is left behind.