Polio vaccinations resume in north Gaza

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on November 2, 2024, that the last step of a two-phase polio vaccination campaign has begun in north Gaza.

UN agencies reportedly delayed the second phase in October because of the region’s difficulty of access, widespread displacement, and heavy Israeli shelling.

Gaza saw its first polio case in 25 years in August.

According to reports, it paralyzed a baby boy, which led to the program’s launch.

15 UN and humanitarian organizations have described the situation in north Gaza as “apocalyptic” about a month after an Israeli ground offensive started, and the vaccinations are starting up again.

WHO revealed that a humanitarian ceasefire has been reached to enable the resumption of immunizations in Gaza.

The campaign will run for three days according to report.

The efficiency of the immunization program will be compromised, according to the agency, as over 15,000 children under the age of ten in cities in northern Gaza, including Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun, “still remain inaccessible” and will be missed.

WHO had planned to administer a second dose of the oral polio vaccination to 119,000 local children.

The agency stated that reaching this goal “is now unlikely due to access constraints”.

Between September 1 and September 12, the first round of the vaccination campaign, which included local “humanitarian pauses” agreed upon by Israeli and Palestinian organizations, successfully targeted 559,000 children under the age of ten in three phases in south, central, and northern Gaza.

However, WHO claims that the region covered by the most recent humanitarian pause “has been substantially reduced” in comparison to the initial round of vaccinations and is currently only available in Gaza city.

Medical professionals have emphasized since the beginning of the polio vaccination campaign in Gaza that postponing the second dosage could endanger efforts to stop the spread of the infectious, potentially fatal disease.

According to the findings, at least 90% of all children must receive a minimum of two doses in order to stop transmission.

The “darkest moment” of the Gaza war is taking place in the northern part of the Strip, according to the UN human rights chief’s statement last week.

Since the Israeli military launched a ground attack in Beit Lahia, neighboring Jabalia, and Beit Hanoun on October 6, hundreds of people have reportedly been killed.

The IDF claimed to be fighting against Hamas fighters who were regrouping.

According to the WHO, at least 100,000 Palestinians have been compelled to flee north Gaza in search of safety in Gaza city.

The WHO and other UN organizations issued a joint statement on Friday describing the situation as “apocalyptic” and stating that all Palestinians in the region were “at imminent risk of dying from disease, famine, and violence”.

According to UN estimates, around 100,000 people are still living in appalling conditions with acute food, water, and medical supply shortages.

This week, the United States issued a warning to Israel, stating that it must immediately enhance humanitarian aid into Gaza or risk reducing U.S. military assistance.

On Tuesday, the US ambassador to the UN stated that Israel’s statements “must be matched by action,” which was “not happening”.

After Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing over 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage, Israel began a battle to eradicate the organization.

Since then, Gaza’s health ministry, which is governed by Hamas, has reported that over 43,300 people have died there.

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