Geneva, Switzerland – In a critical humanitarian effort, the World Health Organization (WHO) has successfully completed the first phase of a large-scale polio vaccination campaign in Gaza, reaching over 187,000 children under the age of 10. The campaign comes in response to the first confirmed polio case in Gaza in 25 years, highlighting the urgent need to protect children in the war-torn region.
The vaccination effort, which ran from September 1 to 3, 2024, was carried out in central Gaza and exceeded its initial target of 156,500 children, despite the ongoing conflict. WHO officials had originally planned to vaccinate fewer children, but due to increased population movement towards central Gaza and expanded coverage in areas outside the designated humanitarian pause zones, the campaign achieved broader reach than anticipated.
The polio vaccination drive was made possible by localized “humanitarian pauses” in fighting, allowing health workers and volunteers to safely administer vaccines in central Gaza. These pauses were vital as Gaza, devastated by nearly 11 months of war, has seen widespread displacement, with millions of its 2.4 million residents living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, which increases the risk of disease outbreaks.
Massive Response Despite Devastation
The first phase saw the deployment of over 500 teams of health workers and volunteers, consisting of nearly 2,200 people, who provided vaccinations across 143 fixed sites in central Gaza. Mobile teams were also deployed to visit displaced families living in tents and those in hard-to-reach areas, even outside the humanitarian pause zones.
“We are immensely grateful for the dedication of the families, health workers, and vaccinators who worked under extremely challenging conditions to make this part of the campaign a success,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “We continue to call for ceasefire agreements to allow humanitarian efforts like this to continue.”
Though the first phase of the vaccination campaign has concluded, vaccinations will continue over the next few days at four major health facilities in central Gaza to ensure that no child is missed. The WHO is aiming for 90 percent coverage in Gaza to prevent further spread of polio within the territory and to neighboring countries.
Preparing for the Next Phase
The WHO is now shifting its focus to southern Gaza, where an estimated 340,000 children will receive their first dose of the polio vaccine over the next four days. Following that, the campaign will target northern Gaza from September 9 to 11, aiming to vaccinate around 150,000 children.
A second dose of the vaccine will be administered in a subsequent phase of the campaign, scheduled to begin in approximately four weeks, to ensure full protection against the virus.
Polio’s Reemergence Amid Ongoing Conflict
The resurgence of polio in Gaza has alarmed global health authorities, as the disease had not been seen in the region for a quarter-century. Polio, a highly contagious virus that can cause paralysis or even death, typically spreads through contaminated food and water, making densely populated and unsanitary areas like Gaza particularly vulnerable.
Gaza’s already fragile healthcare system has been pushed to the brink by the ongoing conflict with Israel. Since the war erupted on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack that resulted in over 1,200 deaths in Israel, Gaza has been subjected to continuous airstrikes and ground operations. According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 40,861 people, mostly civilians, have been killed during the conflict, with many more injured or displaced.
The UN has also reported that most of the casualties in Gaza are women and children, further highlighting the dire need for humanitarian aid and medical interventions like the polio vaccination campaign.
Polio’s Reemergence Amid Ongoing Conflict
The resurgence of polio in Gaza has alarmed global health authorities, as the disease had not been seen in the region for a quarter-century. Polio, a highly contagious virus that can cause paralysis or even death, typically spreads through contaminated food and water, making densely populated and unsanitary areas like Gaza particularly vulnerable.
Gaza’s already fragile healthcare system has been pushed to the brink by the ongoing conflict with Israel. Since the war erupted on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack that resulted in over 1,200 deaths in Israel, Gaza has been subjected to continuous airstrikes and ground operations. According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 40,861 people, mostly civilians, have been killed during the conflict, with many more injured or displaced.
The UN has also reported that most of the casualties in Gaza are women and children, further highlighting the dire need for humanitarian aid and medical interventions like the polio vaccination campaign.
Preventing Polio’s Spread Beyond Gaza
The WHO has emphasized the importance of vaccinating as many children as possible, not only to protect Gaza’s children but also to prevent the spread of polio to neighboring countries. With Gaza’s borders under siege, the risk of the virus spreading through displaced populations is a significant concern.
“We want to ensure that no more children in Gaza suffer from polio, but we also need to prevent this virus from spreading to nearby regions,” said Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO’s representative for the Palestinian territories.
As the polio vaccination campaign moves forward, the WHO is urging continued respect for humanitarian pauses and calls for an official ceasefire to ensure that vital health services can reach those in need.
Looking Ahead
With the success of the first phase in central Gaza, WHO officials remain cautiously optimistic. The organization has stressed that cooperation from all sides of the conflict is essential for the campaign’s success and for preventing further outbreaks.
The second phase of the campaign, which will provide children with a much-needed second dose of the vaccine, is expected to begin within the next four weeks. Health workers hope that continued pauses in fighting will allow them to protect the next generation from a disease that, until recently, was thought to be under control.
In the meantime, health authorities and humanitarian organizations remain focused on saving lives amid one of the most challenging public health crises in Gaza’s recent history.
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