GAZA (Agencies): A large-scale polio vaccination campaign was launched in Gaza on Saturday, aiming to immunize approximately 600,000 Palestinian children under the age of 10. The campaign is being led by the Palestinian Ministry of Health and implemented with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN Palestine refugee agency UNRWA, and other partners.
The initiative follows the recent detection of poliovirus in wastewater samples in Gaza, indicating ongoing circulation of the virus and putting young lives at risk. The campaign aims to provide the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) to children across the Gaza Strip, with the goal of reaching over 591,000 children by February 26.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini stated that over 1,700 team members are participating in the campaign, working across health centers and mobile points. The campaign involves 10 UNRWA health centers and around 60 mobile medical points, ensuring widespread coverage.
The vaccination drive is part of ongoing efforts to combat the reemergence of polio in Gaza, which resurfaced for the first time in over 20 years in late 2024. Previous vaccination rounds conducted in September and October 2024 successfully reached over 95% of the target population.
The current campaign is crucial in closing immunity gaps and preventing the spread of the virus, especially given the challenging conditions in Gaza, including overcrowding and damaged water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure. The presence of the virus still poses a risk to children with low or no immunity, both in Gaza and throughout the region.
The campaign underscores the importance of continued vaccination efforts to protect children and ensure a polio-free future for Gaza.