Afghanistan registers an 80% decrease in vaccinations against covid-19 since the Taliban took power, according to Unicef

The challenge of sustaining humanitarian work in Afghanistan 1:58

(CNN) – There has been an 80% drop in vaccinations against the covid-19 virus in Afghanistan in the first week since the Taliban took power, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

From August 15 –the day the Taliban took over the capital Kabul– As of August 19, 30,500 people have been vaccinated against covid-19 in 23 provinces. By comparison, between August 8 and 12, 134,600 people were vaccinated in 30 provinces, according to the organization.

“The decline is understandable, since in situations of chaos, conflict and emergency, people will prioritize their safety,” according to Unicef. “UNICEF is working to improve the demand for health services, including covid-19 vaccines.”

Taliban fighters in a Humvee vehicle in Kabul on Monday, August 16, 2021.

There are nearly two million doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccines in the country that will expire in November 2021, the statement continues.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said that all health services would be resumed and asked the doctors to return to work.

Afghanistan has administered a total of 1,201,286 doses of vaccines, according to the latest available data from the World Health Organization released Tuesday.

Since January 2020, the country has registered a total of 152,600 covid-19 cases and 7,083 deaths.

1 thought on “Afghanistan registers an 80% decrease in vaccinations against covid-19 since the Taliban took power, according to Unicef”