Intense Bombardments, Mass Displacements, and Access Restrictions in Northern Gaza Lead to Delay in Polio Vaccination Campaign

Due to escalating violence, heavy bombardments, widespread displacement orders, and the absence of assured humanitarian pauses across northern Gaza, the Polio Technical Committee for Gaza—which includes the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and partner organizations—has postponed the third phase of the polio vaccination campaign, originally scheduled to start today. This final campaign phase aimed to vaccinate 119,279 children across northern Gaza.

Current conditions, including continuous attacks on civilian infrastructure, pose serious risks to the safety and movement of residents, preventing families from safely bringing children for vaccination and hindering health workers’ operations.

All logistics, supplies, and trained personnel were prepared to deliver the second dose of the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) to children across northern Gaza, following an initial vaccination round held from September 1-12, 2024, across the Gaza Strip. However, the area now available for temporary humanitarian pauses has been significantly reduced, covering only Gaza City, unlike the more expansive access allowed in the first round. This reduction in accessible areas means many children in northern Gaza risk missing this crucial polio vaccine dose.

To interrupt poliovirus transmission, vaccination coverage must reach at least 90% of children within every community, a necessary target for effectively halting the outbreak and preventing its spread. Humanitarian pauses are vital for success, allowing partners to supply vaccines to health facilities, enabling families to safely reach vaccination sites, and facilitating health workers' access to children. Delaying the second dose of nOPV2 beyond six weeks diminishes the impact of two closely spaced rounds intended to boost children's immunity and disrupt poliovirus transmission. Missing the second dose could severely hinder efforts to stop poliovirus in Gaza, potentially resulting in further spread within the region and beyond, putting more children at risk of paralysis.

Since the second round began in Gaza on October 14, 2024, 442,855 children under ten years have been vaccinated in central and southern Gaza, covering 94% of the target population in these areas. Additionally, 357,802 children aged two to ten years received vitamin A supplements, integrating polio vaccination with essential health services.

Swift action is critical to curb the polio outbreak before more children are affected, and to contain the virus from spreading further. Therefore, implementing humanitarian pauses to facilitate the vaccination campaign in northern Gaza is essential, ensuring vaccine access for all eligible children. WHO and UNICEF appeal to all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians, health workers, and civilian infrastructure, including schools, shelters, and hospitals, and renew their call for an immediate ceasefire.

 

Source: WHO