Community members bring their children for measles vaccination as part of the 2nd phase of the nationwide campaign, strengthening protection across the country. Photo Credit: WHO Afghanistan
18 November 2025, Kabul, Afghanistan – The World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in collaboration with the National Expanded Programme on Immunization (NEPI) in Afghanistan, have successfully concluded the second phase of a nationwide measles vaccination campaign.
The 10-day second phase, which started on 29 October, reached 8 355 446 children aged 6 months to 10 years with one dose of the measles vaccine across 17 hot-weather provinces, achieving 91.7% coverage of the more than 9 million children targeted. In addition, 3 953 961 children aged 0 to 10 years received one dose of bivalent oral polio vaccine across 5 provinces in the south and one province in the southeast.
Building on the first phase of the nationwide measles campaign – completed in October this year after reaching 8.3 million children across 17 cold-climate provinces – Afghanistan is advancing efforts to ensure immunization of all children.
The campaign was launched in response to continued measles outbreaks and low routine immunization coverage. The Afghanistan Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2022–2023 found that only 51% of children had received their first measles dose, and just 37% their second dose. The successful rollout of the campaign has helped close these critical immunity gaps, laying the foundations for identifying missed children and strengthening routine vaccination as the country works towards measles control.
Schoolchildren proudly display their measles vaccination cards after receiving their doses during the 2nd phase of the nationwide measles immunization campaign. Protecting every child and leaving no one behind. Photo Credit: WHO Afghanistan
“The roll out of the second nationwide drive to protect another 9 million Afghan children demonstrates the commitment of WHO, Afghanistan’s health authorities, partners and communities to protect children from preventable diseases,” said WHO Representative in Afghanistan Dr Edwin Ceniza Salvador. “Reaching 91.7% of target children is a major achievement, but our work continues as we must reach every child, especially in the hardest-to-reach areas. WHO remains dedicated to closing immunity gaps and ensuring no child is left behind.”
“The conclusion of this second phase marks another important step in protecting Afghanistan’s children from a disease that should never cost a young life,” said UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan Dr Tajudeen Oyewale. “Reaching millions of children in every type of community is only possible because families, health workers and partners came together with one purpose: to keep children safe. UNICEF will continue supporting all efforts to strengthen routine immunization and ensure that every boy and girl receives the vaccines they need to grow up healthy.”
With the successful completion of both phases of Afghanistan’s nationwide measles campaign, over 16.6 million children have now been protected against this deadly but preventable disease. This achievement reflects the dedication of Afghanistan’s health authorities, the tireless efforts of WHO, UNICEF and NEPI, and the generous support of Gavi. Together, they are strengthening routine immunization services and closing immunity gaps, helping to ensure that no child is left behind.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Ajyal Sultany
Head of Communications, WHO Afghanistan
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Daniel Timme
Chief of Communication, UNICEF Afghanistan
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