The long-awaited United Nations-led campaign to vaccinate children in Gaza against polio officially commenced on Sunday, following a preliminary distribution of vaccines to infants on Saturday.
The UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has set an ambitious goal to immunize 640,000 children in Gaza, targeting over 90% of those under the age of 10. This large-scale vaccination effort is made possible by a series of temporary pauses in fighting agreed upon by Israel.
UNRWA, which plays a crucial role in Gaza, has been working to manage and facilitate the vaccination drive. However, there are significant challenges. Palestinian health officials have highlighted the necessity of a full ceasefire for the campaign to be successful, emphasizing that the virus can cross borders and reach any location.
Deputy Health Minister Yousef Abu Al-Reesh has stressed the need for international support and a lasting ceasefire to ensure that all targeted children can receive their vaccines safely.
The vaccination campaign is planned to occur in three phases, each spanning three days from September 1 to September 12. Despite the preparations, there are concerns about whether the Israeli military will uphold the agreed pauses in fighting. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are known for pursuing Hamas targets even during temporary ceasefires, raising doubts about the campaign’s smooth execution.
UNRWA’s Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has underscored the urgency of the campaign, calling for respect for the temporary pauses to reach the children in need. Similarly, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has emphasized the importance of peace for the success of the vaccination efforts, highlighting that the ultimate goal is to protect children through both vaccines and a lasting ceasefire.
The resurgence of polio in Gaza reflects the severe impact of ongoing conflict, as the virus reappeared in sewage samples earlier this year and a baby recently contracted the disease for the first time in 25 years.
Prior to the conflict, Gaza had nearly universal polio vaccine coverage, but this has now fallen below 90%. Polio, a highly infectious disease with no cure, primarily affects young children and can lead to severe health complications or death if not prevented through immunization.
