WHO Surpasses Target of Gaza Polio Vaccinations: Campaign Continues with Over 161,000 Children Vaccinated

WHO Exceeds Target for Gaza Polio Vaccinations: Campaign Continues

The World Health Organization (WHO) has successfully surpassed its vaccination target in Gaza within the first two days of the campaign, aimed at protecting children from polio. The Gaza Polio Vaccination campaign is a critical initiative in response to the recent reappearance of polio in the region.

Polio Vaccination Efforts in Gaza

On Sunday and Monday, WHO reported that 161,030 children under the age of 10 had been vaccinated in central Gaza. This exceeded the initial target of 156,500 children. Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the UN agency’s representative for the Palestinian territories, explained that the higher number might be due to an underestimation of the population density in these areas.

Localized Ceasefires to Facilitate Vaccinations

To make this massive Gaza polio vaccination campaign possible, Israel and Hamas agreed to several localized pauses in the ongoing conflict. These pauses are allowing health workers to administer the polio vaccines in different parts of Gaza.

The temporary ceasefires are scheduled to take place between 06:00 and 15:00 local time. The campaign is being rolled out in three phases:

1. Phase 1: Began in the Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis governorates on Sunday.
2. Phase 2: Set to move to the southern governorate of Rafah on Thursday.
3. Phase 3: Will then shift to North Gaza and Gaza City.

First Phase of the Campaign

Dr. Peeperkorn expressed optimism regarding the progress of the campaign so far. According to him, the temporary ceasefires have been effective in allowing vaccinations to proceed smoothly. However, he noted that the first round of the Gaza polio vaccination campaign still has at least ten more days to go.

In addition, a second round of vaccinations is planned to begin four weeks later to ensure that all the children receive the necessary immunizations.

Challenges in Reaching All Children

While the vaccination campaign is moving forward successfully, there are still challenges to overcome. Some children are believed to be living outside the designated areas for the ceasefires. Health authorities are working on negotiating access to these areas so that every child can be reached.

The goal is to vaccinate a total of 640,000 children across Gaza. According to Dr. Peeperkorn, at least 90% of these children need to be vaccinated to prevent the spread of polio within Gaza and to avoid further international spread of the virus.

The Urgency of Vaccinations

Polio is a highly contagious disease, usually spread through contaminated water and sewage. It primarily affects children under the age of five and can cause severe disabilities, including paralysis and, in some cases, can be fatal. The resurgence of polio in Gaza has raised serious concerns among health experts.

The disease’s re-emergence in Gaza has been attributed to disruptions in routine vaccinations and the massive damage to the region’s water and sanitation infrastructure due to ongoing conflict.

Impact on Families

One of the families affected by the polio outbreak shared their tragic story. Last month, Gaza saw its first confirmed polio case in 25 years, leaving a 10-month-old baby partially paralyzed. The child, named Abdulrahman Abu Judyan, was supposed to receive routine vaccinations on 7 October, but the day coincided with the beginning of hostilities between Hamas and Israel.

Abdulrahman’s mother, Niveen, expressed deep regret for missing her son’s vaccination due to the chaotic situation. “I feel a lot of guilt that he didn’t get the vaccination,” she said. Despite her anguish, she holds onto hope that her son will be able to access treatment outside Gaza. “He wants to live and walk like other children,” she added.

Humanitarian Efforts Continue

Humanitarian organizations and health workers are continuing their efforts to address the urgent need for vaccinations and prevent the further spread of polio in Gaza. The Gaza polio vaccination campaign represents a critical part of this response, ensuring that children receive life-saving vaccines despite the challenging conditions.

The ongoing campaign highlights the importance of maintaining health services even in conflict zones, as the consequences of disruptions can be devastating for the most vulnerable populations.

As the Gaza polio vaccination campaign progresses, WHO remains committed to reaching every child in Gaza and preventing further cases of this preventable disease. The cooperation between health workers, humanitarian organizations, and the parties involved in the conflict will be crucial in ensuring the success of the campaign and protecting the health of Gaza’s children.

Conclusion

The WHO’s vaccination campaign in Gaza has already surpassed its initial target, vaccinating over 161,000 children in just two days. This achievement marks a significant step in protecting the region’s children from polio, but much work remains to ensure the success of the campaign. By continuing to prioritize the Gaza polio vaccination efforts, health authorities and humanitarian groups aim to stop the spread of the disease and safeguard the future of Gaza’s youngest generation.