WHO - World Health Organization

Published purpose

This project aims to support the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in their efforts to eradicate the wild poliovirus (WPV) in Afghanistan, one of only 2 remaining polio endemic countries (the other is Pakistan). The project seeks to reach 9.9 million children and provide immunity to polio for all Afghans, including interrupting the transmission of all wild poliovirus and stopping all circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks. The WHO is responsible for: (1) providing technical assistance and operational support to implementers; (2) training of frontline workers and surveillance staff; (3) collecting and analysing data; and (4) monitoring. UNICEF is responsible for: (1) supplying and distributing polio vaccines along the whole supply chain; (2) implementing vaccination activities; and (3) engaging with communities to improve vaccine acceptance. The 2 organizations work closely together to implement all aspects of the polio vaccination campaign.