Afghanistan launches anti-polio campaign to vaccinate 12.8 mln children-Xinhua - 新华网

KABUL, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- A four-day anti-polio vaccination campaign was launched across Afghanistan on Monday, aiming to vaccinate 12.8 million children, the official Bakhtar News Agency reported.

Children under the age of five will receive polio vaccine drops to protect them against the crippling virus, the state-run media outlet reported.

In addition to polio vaccination, children will also receive albendazole tablets to prevent intestinal worm infections.

Minister of Public Health Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, in his speech at the campaign's launch, called on Afghan parents to ensure their children receive the polio vaccine as part of efforts to rid the country of the crippling disease. ■