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The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced the successful completion of the first phase of a large-scale polio vaccination campaign in Gaza. With almost 200,000 children receiving their initial dose, this marks a crucial step toward eradicating the disease in the Palestinian territory, which has been devastated by ongoing conflict and deteriorating living conditions. The campaign aims to protect vulnerable children from the threat of polio, especially following the first confirmed case in over two decades.
The Impact of War on Health in Gaza
Gaza has been grappling with severe health challenges as a result of the prolonged conflict. Over the past 11 months, the region has faced relentless warfare, forcing millions of residents to flee their homes and live in overcrowded, unhygienic environments. With limited access to proper healthcare, disease outbreaks have become a growing concern. The return of polio, a disease that had been eradicated in Gaza for 25 years, is a stark reminder of how critical the situation has become.
Polio is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects children under five, leading to paralysis and sometimes death. Given the dire conditions in Gaza, the resurgence of polio demanded an immediate and extensive vaccination response. The WHO, along with local health authorities and international partners, launched the vaccination campaign to curb the spread of the disease and prevent a larger outbreak.
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The Vaccination Campaign: A Coordinated Effort
The polio vaccination campaign began on September 1, 2024, in central Gaza, focusing on children under 10 years of age. This first phase of the initiative, lasting three days, saw the immunization of over 187,000 children, surpassing initial estimates. The WHO had anticipated vaccinating approximately 157,000 children in central Gaza. However, due to the influx of displaced families from other parts of the region, the number of children in need of vaccination increased.
The success of this campaign is largely attributed to the dedicated efforts of over 2,000 health and community workers who formed more than 500 teams. These teams worked at 143 fixed vaccination sites, while mobile units reached children in makeshift camps and remote areas, ensuring no child was left behind. The mobile teams played a particularly important role in vaccinating children living outside the designated humanitarian pause zones.
Humanitarian Pauses and the Role of Ceasefires
Given the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the vaccination campaign was made possible through temporary ceasefires or “humanitarian pauses” in the fighting. These pauses allowed health workers to safely deliver vaccines and access areas that would have otherwise been unreachable. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed gratitude to all involved, emphasizing the importance of continued humanitarian pauses. He further urged for a complete ceasefire, underscoring that the health and safety of children should be prioritized above all else.
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Despite the completion of the first phase, WHO officials stressed the importance of sustained vaccination efforts. Four large health facilities in central Gaza will continue to offer vaccinations to ensure full coverage. According to the WHO, a vaccination rate of at least 90% is needed to prevent further polio cases both within Gaza and in neighboring regions.
Next Steps: Expanding the Campaign to Southern and Northern Gaza
With the central Gaza phase complete, attention now shifts to southern Gaza, where an estimated 340,000 children will receive their first dose of the polio vaccine. This phase will take place over the next few days. Following that, the campaign will move to northern Gaza from September 9 to 11, targeting around 150,000 children.
The WHO plans to launch a second phase of the campaign in approximately four weeks. This phase will focus on providing children with their second dose of the polio vaccine, which is necessary for complete immunization.
Preventing the Spread of Polio Beyond Gaza
Rik Peeperkorn, WHO’s representative for the Palestinian territories, emphasized the broader goal of the campaign, which extends beyond Gaza’s borders. The vaccination initiative aims not only to protect children in Gaza but also to prevent the spread of polio to neighboring countries. Given the interconnectedness of the region, a polio outbreak in Gaza could have far-reaching consequences if left unchecked.
Bottomline
The first phase of the polio vaccination campaign in Gaza marks a significant achievement in the fight against the resurgence of the disease. However, ongoing efforts are crucial to ensuring that the region’s children remain protected, particularly in the face of ongoing conflict and displacement. Through the dedication of health workers and the cooperation of international organizations, there is hope that the spread of polio can be halted, safeguarding the future of Gaza’s younger generation.