Afghanistan is among only four countries still afflicted by the devastating virus, already recording three new cases this year – all of them in the south where a Taliban-led insurgency is at its fiercest.

“My message to the opposition is to allow our children, who are our future youth, leaders and elders to come under the vaccination campaign,” said Afghanistan Health Minister, Sayed Mohammad Amin in a massage to insurgents.

The operation will cover all but two of the country’s provinces, with Day Kundi and Bamyan unreachable because of winter snows and cold.