Nationwide vaccination campaign in Afghanistan to protect children from measles

Measles is one of the most contagious infections known to humans and ranks among the top four childhood killers worldwide. In Afghanistan, of the 25,000 reported cases in 2017, 85 percent are amongst children under the age of ten.

The Government of Afghanistan, in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, have today launched a nationwide vaccination campaign to protect children 13.8 million children aged 9 months to 10 years against measles.

At the launching ceremony, Afghan Minister of Public Health, H.E. Dr. Ferozuddin Feroz, described this intervention as "life-saving and will have a positive impact on child health". He also acknowledged the ongoing support of partners who are working with the Ministry of Public Health to improve the lives of children in Afghanistan.

Measles is one of the most contagious infections known to humans and ranks among the top four childhood killers worldwide. In Afghanistan, of the 25,000 reported cases in 2017, 85 percent are amongst children under the age of ten. This spans over 20 of the 34 provinces across Afghanistan, with the worst affected provinces being Kabul, Paktika, Kunar, Badghis, and Ghor

Speaking at the event, WHO Representative in Afghanistan Dr. Richard Peeperkorn said: "Safe and effective measles vaccine has been in use for the past 60 years worldwide and in Afghanistan since 1984... we hope that this campaign will reach every child, especially the most vulnerable target population." Dr.Peeperkorn stressed the importance of routine immunization, which "remains the backbone of measles control efforts and contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals".

The measles vaccine will be administered free of charge in all mosques, villages and health facilities throughout the country, targeting all children under the age of ten, irrespective of their previous measles vaccination status or history of the disease. This campaign will be implemented in two phases.

The first phase will run from 1-10^th September targeting 16 provinces including the most affected, at risk and accessible provinces. The second phase, from 17 -26 November will cover the remaining 18 provinces.

"Immunization has been proven as one of the most cost-effective and lifesaving interventions against killer childhood diseases. Every girl and boy must be reached no matter who they are and where they live," says Adele Khodr, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan. "I call upon parents, caregivers, community leaders and all stakeholders to ensure that both girls and boys under the age of ten years can safely reach a mosque or village health facility, so we can together save the life lives of millions of children in Afghanistan," Khodr emphasized.

With the support of the GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, the upcoming campaign will cost approximately US$ 14.6 million (5.6 m for vaccines and USD 9 million for operations) – to cover procurement of 14.8 million doses of vaccine, logistics, training, measles case management and activating social networks in communities to ensure local buy-in.

"I congratulate the government of Afghanistan for this landmark campaign," said Dr. Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi the Vaccine Alliance. "Low vaccine coverage, mass population displacements, and persistent insecurity have posed an immense challenge to measles control. Strengthening Afghanistan's routine immunization must be a top priority to secure further reductions in mortality from this vaccine-preventable disease."

The Afghanistan Demographic Health Survey of 2015 estimates that only 60% of eligible Afghan children receive their first dose of measles vaccine every year while less than 40% receive the second dose. Low coverage has led to approximately 300 deaths from the disease last year. Routine vaccination for children, combined with mass immunization campaigns remain key public health strategies to reduce global measles deaths.