This is the second of five planned NIDs this year in Afghanistan. Afghanistan, one of the last countries still plagued by the crippling wild poliovirus, is a linchpin in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which seeks to certify the world as polio-free by 2005. Last year a record 550 million were immunized during intensified NIDs in 82 countries. The poliovirus circulated in 125 countries when the campaign started in 1988. The number is down to 20 today.
Conflict remains one of the primary obstacles to the eradication of polio.
The ceasefire is one of the final steps, other than the actual placing of the vaccine drops in the children's mouths, of a massive logistical undertaking. The vaccinators were supplied with cold boxes to ensure the vaccines remain chilled until they reach the children. To inform the population about the campaign, the NID organizers produced promotional messages in local languages and arranged with local radio stations to transmit these messages and other special programmes. The messages inform parents and community leaders about the dates and importance of polio vaccination. In addition, mullahs in mosques helped educate people about the campaign.