WHO and Israel Agree on Mass Polio Vaccination in Gaza Amid Humanitarian Pauses

The WHO has announced an agreement with Israel for a mass polio vaccination campaign in Gaza starting on September 1. The initiative aims to vaccinate over 640,000 children in two rounds, ensuring at least 90% coverage, amidst ongoing humanitarian pauses.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that an agreement has been reached with Israel to conduct a mass polio vaccination campaign in Gaza. This initiative, facilitated by humanitarian pauses scheduled to begin on September 1, is critical given the recent detection of the poliovirus and cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in the region.

Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, head of the WHO office for the West Bank and Gaza, announced that the campaign will be executed in two rounds, targeting over 640,000 children. The UN agencies UNRWA, UNICEF, and WHO emphasize the need for at least 90% coverage in both rounds. The United Nations News Service underscored the significance of this campaign in a social media post, highlighting the importance of reaching the coverage goal.

In a subsequent post, the UN News Service detailed the discussions held with Israeli authorities to secure humanitarian pauses of three days. These pauses are seen as essential to stopping polio transmission in Gaza and beyond. Despite the challenges, the teams are prepared and ready to meet the ambitious target. The urgency is compounded by recent findings of the virus in Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah, and reported cases of suspected AFP among children in Gaza. Polio is a highly contagious virus that can lead to severe health issues and even death, making effective vaccination efforts crucial.

(With inputs from agencies.)