A crucial polio vaccination campaign commenced in Gaza on Saturday, following the detection of the first case of the disease in the war-torn territory in a quarter of a century. This initiative comes in response to a confirmed case of polio in an unvaccinated 10-month-old baby from central Gaza earlier this month. The disease, spread primarily through contaminated water and sewage, is a growing concern in Gaza due to the ongoing conflict with Israel.
The campaign, orchestrated by local health officials, the United Nations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), is set to administer two doses of the polio vaccine to more than 640,000 children under the age of 10. It will be rolled out in phases, starting in central Gaza, followed by southern Gaza and finally northern Gaza. To enable the vaccination drive, Israel has agreed to three-day “humanitarian pauses” in the fighting.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered 1.26 million doses of the oral polio vaccine to Gaza, with an additional 400,000 doses expected to arrive soon. The WHO has also confirmed the safety of the vaccine, addressing concerns raised by some parents.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, severely impacting the health system and creating a fertile ground for the spread of infectious diseases like polio. The war, which began on October 7, has resulted in a devastating loss of life and destruction. According to official figures, 1,199 people have been killed in Israel, mostly civilians, while the Gaza health ministry reports at least 40,691 fatalities in Gaza, with the majority being women and children. The UN rights office has called for an immediate end to the violence, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The polio vaccination campaign offers a crucial glimmer of hope amidst the devastation, with the potential to protect vulnerable children from the debilitating effects of this preventable disease.
