What it’s about
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that it is effectively ahead of its target in a mass polio vaccination campaign in Gaza, inoculating around 25% of children under 10 despite ongoing conflict.
Why it matters
The vaccination drive aims to stop a potential outbreak of polio, following the discovery of the first case in a Gazan baby last month. Polio can cause paralysis and even death, posing a significant health threat to young children.
Details
The campaign is bolstered by humanitarian pauses in hostilities between Israel and Hamas terrorists, enabling health teams to operate safely. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for the Palestinian territories, reported that over 161,000 children were vaccinated in the central Gaza Strip during the campaign’s initial phase, surpassing the projected 150,000.
The Big Picture
If the campaign successfully vaccinates at least 90% of Gazan children, it can prevent the disease’s spread within Gaza and beyond. This concerted effort involves WHO, UNICEF, Israel’s IDF Southern Command, and COGAT. These groups are ensuring vaccines and appropriate medical equipment reach Gaza, showcasing their commitment to humanitarian aid despite ongoing tensions.
Quotes
“Israel sees the prevention of a polio outbreak in the Gaza Strip as an important mission in the humanitarian effort,” said a COGAT spokesperson regarding Israel’s support for the pauses to allow vaccinations.
What’s Next
The vaccination teams will next move to southern Gaza, aiming to reach around 340,000 children, followed by a final push in northern Gaza. Joint assessments and provisions, such as importing vaccines and medical teams, continue to facilitate risk-free access to vaccination zones.
Background
The operation follows a rise in urgent health risks after a 10-month-old from central Gaza contracted polio, eliciting global health concerns. The urgency is amplified by the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict, which erupted on October 7 following a devastating attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians, provoking Israel’s focused military response to dismantle the terrorist group.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.