Urgent Call for Humanitarian Pauses in Gaza for Polio Vaccine Campaign

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges parties in Gaza conflict to ensure humanitarian pauses for polio vaccination. He emphasizes the grave challenges and essential coordination needed to contain the disease, which threatens not just Gaza but surrounding regions due to disrupted health services and fecal-oral transmission routes.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urgently called for assurances from parties involved in the Gaza conflict to allow for humanitarian pauses essential for conducting a polio vaccination campaign.

Guterres emphasized the dire need for coordinated efforts to contain and prevent the spread of polio, describing the situation as critical. He highlighted that achieving at least 95% vaccination coverage in two rounds is necessary to prevent the virus's emergence.

The challenges are substantial, involving logistics, transport, and reliable communication; amid ongoing conflict. Health officials have warned that the spread of the disease may extend beyond Gaza if not properly addressed, emphasizing the urgency of immediate action.