Israel has agreed to a series of pauses in fighting in Gaza to facilitate a polio vaccination campaign for young children in the enclave. The initiative, led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations, aims to address the drop in polio vaccine coverage in Gaza, which has fallen to just over 80% since the recent conflict.
The vaccination campaign is set to begin on September 1 and will be implemented in three phases, starting in central Gaza for three days, followed by south Gaza, and then north Gaza. The goal is to vaccinate approximately 640,000 children under the age of 10 with two doses each.
Polio, a highly infectious disease that primarily affects children under five years old, can cause irreversible paralysis and even death. With no cure available, immunization is the only effective prevention method, according to the WHO.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Hamas has expressed its willingness to cooperate with international organizations to ensure the success of the vaccination campaign. The effort is supported by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the United Nations Children's Fund, and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, among others.
Over 1.26 million doses of vaccines and 500 vaccine carriers have already been delivered to Gaza in preparation for the campaign. The organizations involved have developed a detailed plan to execute the vaccination drive efficiently and strategically.
For weeks, the emphasis has been on the need for a ceasefire, referred to as a 'polio pause,' to enable the successful implementation of the vaccination campaign and prevent the spread of the disease beyond Gaza. The international community is working together to address the health needs of Gaza's two million residents, who continue to face significant challenges due to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis.
