The World Health Organization confirmed on Aug. 23 that at least one child in Gaza has been paralyzed by the variant type 2 poliovirus, the first such case in the territory in 25 years.
In collaboration with the World Health Organization, UNICEF and UNRWA, a two-round campaign will provide over 640,000 Gazan children under the age of 10 with two doses of the polio vaccine, in an effort to stop the spread of the virus and prevent a wider regional outbreak.
The campaign began Sunday, Sept. 1st, in a staggered schedule, starting in Central Gaza and moving to South and North Gaza. Each phase will continue for three days during area-specific humanitarian pauses, to enable children and families to access health facilities and community workers to reach children.
Some 1.26 million doses of the polio vaccine have been delivered to Gaza in preparation for distribution, with 400,000 more due to arrive soon. More than 2,100 health workers, including mobile teams, will support the delivery of both campaign rounds.
At least 90 percent vaccination coverage is needed during each round to prevent the spread of polio, given the overcrowding, displacement, and severely disrupted health, water, and sanitation systems within Gaza.
The United Arab Emirates has committed $5 million to the campaign, which will enable the inoculation of more than 640,000 Gazan children.
Norb Murray
