ASADABAD (SW): It has been months since the pro-Daesh and other militant groups banned the polio vaccination in Kunar province’s Watta Pur district leaving thousands of children deprived of immunization.
Dr. Azizur Rehman Safi, director public health in the province, told Salam Watandar that the militants banned vaccination in various villages two months ago. He said health workers aim to immunize up to 168,000 children in the province against various diseases, but up to 13,000 children in Watta Pur are likely to miss the vaccine.
The director public health said efforts via local community elders and religious leaders have failed to yield positive results in launching the immunization campaign.
A nationwide polio immunization campaign is set to be launched on Monday, and the local officials in Kunar are optimistic they would be able to vaccinate children in Watta Pur as well.
In conversation with Salam Watandar, a number of residents of this district said the militants are against polio vaccine.
Njibullah Haqyar, a local religious scholar, has stressed that the polio vaccine can save children from permanent disability, hence the Sharia allows and promotes administration of the vaccine.
The pro-Daesh militants have not commented on this matter so far.
ENDS
