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In light of the rising violence, relentless airstrikes, widespread displacement orders, and the absence of guaranteed humanitarian pauses throughout northern Gaza, the Polio Technical Committee for Gaza—comprising the Palestinian Ministry of Health, World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and other partners—has been forced to delay the third phase of its polio vaccination initiative that was scheduled to commence today. This crucial phase aimed to immunize 119,279 children in northern Gaza.
The prevailing circumstances, characterized by ongoing assaults on civilian infrastructure, continue to threaten public safety and hinder movement within northern Gaza. These conditions make it exceedingly difficult for families to safely bring their children in for vaccinations and impede health workers from performing their duties effectively.
All necessary logistics, supplies, and trained personnel were ready to administer a second dose of novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) across northern Gaza. This followed an initial round conducted from September 1-12, 2024. However, due to a significant reduction in areas designated for temporary humanitarian pauses—now restricted solely to Gaza City—a large number of children in northern regions will likely miss out on receiving this vital vaccine dose.
The Importance of Vaccination Coverage
To effectively halt poliovirus transmission within communities and neighborhoods, it is essential that at least 90% of all children are vaccinated. Humanitarian pauses play a critical role in achieving this goal by enabling partners to deliver vaccination supplies efficiently while allowing families safe access to vaccination sites. Additionally, mobile health teams must be able to reach children within their localities without obstruction. Delaying the administration of nOPV2’s second dose beyond six weeks can significantly diminish its effectiveness; thus missing doses could severely undermine efforts aimed at curbing poliovirus spread not only within Gaza but also potentially into neighboring regions.
Current Vaccination Efforts
Since launching the second round of polio vaccinations on October 14th this year in Gaza’s central and southern areas, approximately 442,855 children under ten have been successfully immunized—representing about 94% coverage against set targets in these locations. Furthermore, around 357,802 children aged two through ten have received vitamin A supplements as part of an integrated approach combining essential health services with polio vaccination efforts.
The Urgency for Action
It is crucial that we act swiftly to contain this polio outbreak before more lives are affected by paralysis or further spread occurs among vulnerable populations. Therefore facilitating access through humanitarian pauses is vital so that eligible children can receive vaccinations wherever they may be located. WHO and UNICEF strongly urge all involved parties to prioritize the protection of civilians—including healthcare workers—and safeguard critical infrastructure such as schools and hospitals while calling for an immediate ceasefire.
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