What it’s about
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced its plans to facilitate a critical polio vaccination campaign for children in Gaza starting October 14. This operation occurs amidst ongoing discussions with Israel, following Israel’s defensive military actions in response to an attack by the Hamas terror organization.
Why it matters
The swift execution of this vaccination campaign is crucial to combat potential disease outbreaks in Gaza, where challenging human conditions prevail due to the conflict. Importantly, Israel’s engagement in coordinating the distribution of the vaccine, demonstrates a commitment to protecting public health, despite the complex geopolitical situation.
Key Details
In partnership with Israel and the United Nations, the mass polio vaccination campaign was initially launched on September 1, reaching over 640,000 children with at least 90% coverage rate in its first phase. The discussions between WHO and Israeli ministries aim to secure a successful and timely provision of the second vaccine dose to prevent the spread of polio, a virus confirmed in Gaza for the first time in 25 years.
What’s Next
Efforts continue to ensure that the vaccine is accessible to children in difficult-to-reach areas within Gaza by October 29, preventing the persistent threat of variant type 2 polio from becoming an obstruction to public health.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.