Gaza wraps up polio vaccinations for children under 10
- The WHO's vaccination campaign in Gaza aimed to immunize 90% of children under 10 after a polio case was detected.
- Over 552,000 children have been vaccinated, but challenges such as access restrictions and fuel shortages persist.
- Health officials stress the importance of achieving high vaccination coverage to prevent a potential outbreak.
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the conclusion of a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza, initiated after the detection of the first polio case in the region in over 25 years. The campaign aimed to vaccinate 90% of children under the age of 10, with over 552,000 children vaccinated out of an estimated 640,000. The vaccination process was conducted in three phases across central, southern, and northern Gaza, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Health officials utilized the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2), which has been approved for emergency use since March 2021. The campaign faced significant challenges, including access restrictions, evacuation orders, and fuel shortages, which complicated the vaccination efforts. Temporary pauses in fighting were negotiated with Israel to facilitate the administration of vaccines. The first reported case of polio involved a 10-month-old child who had not received vaccinations, underscoring the critical need for widespread immunization. The WHO emphasized that achieving at least 90% vaccination coverage is essential to prevent a potential outbreak in Gaza. If the target is not met, the campaign may be extended to ensure more children are protected. Community members, including parents like Islam Saleh, expressed their concerns about polio and the importance of vaccination for their children's health. The WHO reported a positive response to the campaign, with special missions conducted to reach children in hard-to-access areas, reflecting the commitment to safeguarding public health in the region.