WHO Urges Seven-Day Ceasefire in Gaza to Vaccinate 640,000 Children Against Polio

Aug 16, 2024, 11:12 AM

In mid-July, reports of polio in the Gaza Strip's water led to a public health crisis, prompting the Gaza Ministry of Health to declare an epidemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF are calling for a seven-day ceasefire to vaccinate over 640,000 children against polio. The vaccination campaign is expected to launch at the end of August and in September. Humanitarian pauses are deemed vital for the vaccines to reach all children in need. The United Nations has also called for a ceasefire to facilitate the vaccination efforts. The reemergence of polio is attributed to the destruction of sanitation infrastructure and the ongoing conflict in the region.