Gaza's First Polio Case in 25 Years Spurs Vaccination Campaign Amid Conflict, WHO Calls It Success

Sep 13, 2024, 01:51 PM

A significant polio vaccination campaign is ongoing in Gaza following the first polio case in 25 years. The campaign, which aims to immunize at least 90 percent of children under the age of 10, faces substantial challenges due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Despite Israel approving pauses in certain areas for the vaccination efforts, other areas continue to be bombed daily, complicating the campaign. The World Health Organization (WHO) has described the campaign as a 'massive success,' although the conflict's impact on infrastructure and access remains a significant hurdle. The reemergence of polio in Gaza is linked to malnutrition, the imposed blockade, and the ongoing war. Some families in Gaza view the vaccination effort as futile amid daily bombings, and there are concerns about the virus spreading to communities with low vaccination levels, including in Israel. The UN is closely cooperating with Hamas in the vaccination campaign, and mobile teams are actively reaching out to families in shelters and camps. There are also criticisms about the limited impact of humanitarian pauses.