Afghanistan Peace Campaign
UNICEF reports Afghanistan is among the top 20 countries globally with the highest number of unvaccinated children, raising serious health concerns.
Afghanistan is among the top 20 countries in the world with the highest number of unvaccinated children, according to a recent report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The report highlights serious concerns over the country’s low immunization coverage, which puts millions of children at risk of preventable diseases.
UNICEF’s latest update, released on Saturday, June 28, reveals that only 16.2 percent of Afghanistan’s children are fully vaccinated. This low coverage rate poses a significant threat to child health and survival, particularly in a country already facing numerous healthcare challenges.
Despite ongoing polio vaccination campaigns, polio has yet to be eradicated from Afghanistan. Barriers such as limited healthcare access, ongoing conflict, and misinformation continue to hamper progress, leaving many children unprotected against life-threatening diseases.
UNICEF estimates that vaccinations in Afghanistan could prevent between 4.9 to 5.4 million deaths between 2021 and 2030. The agency also acknowledged the vital support of the Government of Japan in enhancing child health initiatives, including efforts to expand vaccine accessibility and improve healthcare infrastructure.
Adding to the crisis, the World Food Programme (WFP) previously reported that four million Afghan mothers and children are currently suffering from malnutrition. The agency warned that as many as 3.5 million children could be at risk of malnutrition by 2025 if the current situation does not improve.
The combined challenges of low vaccination rates and widespread malnutrition present a major public health emergency. Without urgent and coordinated intervention, millions of Afghan children face long-term health consequences and even death from preventable conditions.
To avert a deeper humanitarian crisis, strengthening routine immunization programs, addressing malnutrition, and ensuring safe access for aid workers must become top priorities for both national and international partners. Long-term investment in healthcare infrastructure and education will be essential in safeguarding the future of Afghanistan’s children.