GAZA: Israel has agreed to pause its military operations in Gaza to allow for a polio vaccination campaign targeting around 640,000 children, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The vaccination drive will begin on 1st September and will occur in three phases, with a three-day halt in fighting during each phase from 06:00 to 15:00 local time.
The decision comes after Gaza reported its first polio case in 25 years, leaving a 10-month-old baby partially paralyzed. The WHO has stated that 1.26 million doses of the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) are already in Gaza, with an additional 400,000 doses on the way.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health, with support from WHO, UNICEF, and UNRWA, will lead the vaccination effort, involving over 2,000 trained workers. The campaign aims to achieve 90 percent vaccine coverage to curb the virus’s spread. An agreement allows for an additional day of vaccination if needed to reach the desired coverage.
Polio is a highly infectious virus that spreads through contaminated water and sewage, posing severe risks of paralysis and death, especially in children under five. Before the current conflict, polio vaccination rates in Gaza and the West Bank were strong, with 99 percent coverage in 2022, though this has declined to 89 percent.
10-month-old Abdul Rahman is #Gaza’s first polio case in 25 years—a stark reminder of how war steals futures. WHO & partners are planning a two-round vaccination campaign to protect 640 000 kids.
Every child deserves a healthy future.#HealthForAll pic.twitter.com/8KbdhPuiOA
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) August 29, 2024
Israel began vaccinating its soldiers against polio in July. Hamas has expressed willingness to work with international bodies to ensure the vaccination campaign’s success, protecting more than 650,000 Palestinian children.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified that these humanitarian pauses are not a ceasefire. UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, James Kariuki, welcomed the vaccination initiative, stressing the importance of reaching the 90 percent coverage target.
Professor Hagai Levine, representing the Hostages Families Forum, called for the inclusion of Israeli hostages in the vaccination effort. The ongoing conflict, sparked by a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, has claimed over 40,530 lives in Gaza, according to Hamas-run health ministry reports.
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