FAIZABAD - The Public Health Department of northeastern Badakhshan province on Sunday accused the Taliban of depriving 40,000 children of polio vaccine, a claim the movement denied.
Public Health Directorate Dr. Noor Khawari told Pajhwok that they wanted to vaccinate about 265,000 children less than five years of age, but the drive was prevented in Taliban-controlled areas.
He said about 40,000 children were deprived of the vaccine in Yamgan, Raghistan, Dara-i-Khastak, Juram districts and some parts of Warduj district.
He added: “The Taliban have warned against the home-to-home vaccination, saying it should be implemented in clinics.”
According to him, recently one positive polio case has been detected in the province and if the anti-polio vaccination was not implemented, the cases might increase.
But Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied the claims. He said the movement had never prevented implementation of polio vaccination drive.
He added a number of families themselves denied vaccination of their children and it should not be blamed on the Taliban. (Pajhwok)