Gaza has kicked off a major polio vaccination campaign, a crucial step to safeguard more than 600,000 children amidst a public health crisis. The initiative, launched on Sunday morning, comes at a critical time as the region grapples with the resurgence of this highly contagious disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.N. agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) have spearheaded this effort, aiming to curb the spread of polio in the besieged enclave.
In a midday update, UNRWA spokeswoman Louise Wateridge shared some hopeful news. Despite sporadic gunfire early in the day, the pause in fighting allowed the vaccination campaign to proceed as planned. Health centers, mobile clinics, and makeshift tents across Gaza saw an impressive turnout. Wateridge described the response as overwhelmingly positive, noting that many families braved challenging conditions to ensure their children were vaccinated.
The temporary cease-fire, though brief, brought a sense of relief to the children and their families. Wateridge emphasized the need for a more sustained cease-fire to continue providing essential relief amidst Gaza's dire humanitarian situation. "The war has reached catastrophic levels," she said. "Civilians desperately need an end to the conflict."
The concerns about a potential disease outbreak in Gaza have been voiced throughout the ongoing conflict. In July, those fears were confirmed when poliovirus was detected in sewage samples from central and southern Gaza. The situation has been exacerbated by the displacement of thousands due to Israel’s military actions, leaving many living in unsanitary conditions in tents and ruined buildings.
Javed Ali, the emergency team lead for the International Medical Corps (IMC) in Gaza, painted a grim picture of the health infrastructure in the region. “There’s no health infrastructure left,” Ali stated. “Preventive measures are non-existent.” This has led to a troubling rise in hepatitis A and various skin diseases, with the polio outbreak being an unfortunate but predictable development.
UNRWA's Philippe Lazzarini emphasized the urgency of the vaccination campaign on social media, calling it a “race against time” to protect Gaza’s children. The WHO has set ambitious goals, planning to immunize 640,000 children under 10 years old during “humanitarian pauses” in the fighting.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced a “humanitarian corridor” to facilitate the vaccination efforts. This corridor will allow health workers to safely administer vaccines during designated times, though the pauses are not a broader cease-fire. The Israeli military agency COGAT will oversee a phased vaccination program, starting in central Gaza and continuing for three consecutive days.
On the ground, the vaccination drive began in the “middle area” of Gaza, with over 200 UNRWA team members working across 28 locations. The IMC, aiming to vaccinate 6,000 children, managed to reach 1,200 on the first day, despite rainy weather that disrupted some families' plans. Photographs shared on Telegram depicted long lines of children receiving their vaccines, a poignant reminder of the campaign’s importance.
Rik Peeperkorn, WHO's head of operations in Gaza and the West Bank, outlined the campaign’s objectives. The initial phase targets 157,000 children under 10, with the possibility of extending the campaign if necessary. The WHO is committed to combating the spread of polio, a disease that primarily affects the nervous system and is spread through contaminated water and feces.
Polio has been preventable since 1955, yet the ongoing conflict has led to its resurgence in Gaza. The war has severely damaged the region’s water, sanitation, and health infrastructure, leading to a significant drop in polio vaccination rates from 99% to 86% since October.
August brought concerning news when Gaza's health authorities confirmed the first polio case in 25 years—an 11-month-old boy whose condition has led to severe paralysis. His mother, Nevin Abu al-Jidyan, described the heartbreaking impact of the disease, noting that her child’s limbs are now paralyzed and his mobility is severely restricted.
The campaign’s symbolic start in southern Gaza saw a small number of infants vaccinated, marking the beginning of a broader effort. Vaccination is crucial in halting the spread of polio, particularly among children under five, who are most vulnerable. The WHO warns that polio can lead to irreversible paralysis in one in 200 infections, with a significant risk of death among those who become paralyzed.
The vaccination campaign in Gaza is a critical intervention, aimed at not only protecting the children but also addressing the broader public health crisis in the region. The temporary cease-fires and humanitarian pauses are vital for enabling this life-saving work, but the ultimate goal remains a lasting peace to ensure the well-being of Gaza’s residents.
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