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The recent polio vaccination initiative in the Gaza Strip concluded successfully yesterday, with a total of 556,774 children under the age of 10 receiving their second dose of the polio vaccine. Additionally, 448,425 children aged between 2 and 10 were administered vitamin A during this campaign, which unfolded over three distinct phases in recent weeks.
According to administrative reports, approximately 94% of the targeted population—591,714 children under ten—received their second dose of nOPV2 throughout Gaza. This achievement is particularly noteworthy given the challenging conditions under which the campaign was conducted. Coverage rates reached an impressive 103% in central Gaza and 91% in southern regions. However, northern Gaza faced significant obstacles that hindered access; preliminary data indicates that around 88% coverage was achieved there. It is estimated that between 7,000 and 10,000 children remain unvaccinated in hard-to-reach areas such as Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun. This situation heightens their vulnerability to poliovirus infection and poses a risk for further transmission within both Gaza and neighboring territories.
This second round marks the conclusion of a comprehensive polio vaccination effort initiated in September 2024. The campaign unfolded across three phases targeting central, southern, and northern regions of Gaza during specific humanitarian pauses. While initial phases proceeded without major issues, the third phase scheduled for northern Gaza had to be temporarily postponed on October 23 due to severe bombardments and mass displacements that restricted access.
Following a thorough evaluation by a technical committee comprising representatives from the Palestinian Ministry of Health along with experts from WHO, UNICEF, and UNRWA—the campaign resumed on November 2. However, it is important to note that access during this phase was significantly limited compared to earlier efforts; operations were confined primarily to Gaza City due to ongoing hostilities forcing over 150 thousand individuals from North Gaza into urban areas where more children could be reached than initially expected.
Despite these numerous challenges—and thanks largely to the unwavering commitment shown by parents alongside health workers—the vaccination phase in northern Gaza has been completed successfully.
A minimum requirement for halting poliovirus circulation includes administering at least two doses with at least a target coverage rate exceeding 90% within each community affected by this outbreak. Moving forward efforts will focus on enhancing immunity levels through routine immunization services available at operational health facilities while also bolstering disease surveillance systems aimed at swiftly identifying any new instances or environmental traces of poliovirus transmission as they arise.
The evolving epidemiological landscape will guide decisions regarding potential additional outbreak responses if necessary.
To effectively implement comprehensive surveillance alongside routine immunization services—not only for polio but also other preventable diseases—WHO and UNICEF continue advocating for an immediate ceasefire. Furthermore beyond addressing attacks on primary healthcare centers; this campaign illustrates what can be accomplished when humanitarian pauses are enacted systematically across various health initiatives responding urgently needed interventions beyond just polio eradication efforts.
Important Information for Editors:
This vaccination initiative led by Palestine’s Ministry Of Health—with support from WHO ,UNICEF ,UNRWA among others—is part emergency measures taken against an outbreak detected July16th2024 aiming halt further spread variant circulating type two confirmed environmental samples including one case involving paralysis reported August2024 .
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