KABUL, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan government on Monday launched the second round of the nationwide polio vaccination campaign for 2026, the Ministry of Public Health said in a statement.

According to the ministry, about 8.3 million children in 20 provinces across the country will receive polio vaccines during the campaign, which will run from May 18 to 21.

The ministry said it remains committed to eradicating polio across the country and called on the public to support vaccinators and cooperate with health workers during the campaign.

Afghanistan and Pakistan remain among the few countries in the world where polio is still endemic. ■