In the midst of ongoing conflict, the Gaza Strip has launched the second phase of a vaccination campaign against polio, following an agreement between Israel and Hamas to allow limited pauses in the fighting. The immunization drive, spearheaded by health officials, began after the Palestinian enclave reported its first case of polio in 25 years last month.
Polio, a highly infectious virus, is transmitted through contaminated water or food, or through contact with an infected person. The outbreak in Gaza has created an urgent need for vaccination, especially as many families are living in overcrowded shelters and are struggling to access clean water, sufficient food, and adequate healthcare due to the devastation caused by the ongoing fighting. These conditions are ideal for the spread of polio and other diseases.
The United Nations reported earlier this week that 189,000 children have received vaccinations so far, describing the campaign as a “rare bright spot” in nearly 11 months of war. UNICEF also confirmed that more than 500 teams were deployed across central Gaza this week, administering vaccines to children under the age of 10. The target is to vaccinate a total of 640,000 children across the region.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has stressed that for the campaign to be effective, at least 90% of children under 10 in Gaza must be immunized. However, the vaccination drive faces significant challenges. With much of Gaza’s infrastructure destroyed, including hospitals and roads, and the ongoing fighting, reaching all children in need is a daunting task. Many parents find it difficult to reach vaccination sites due to blocked or damaged roads, while hospitals struggle to maintain services under the constant threat of bombardment.
Despite the logistical difficulties, the campaign has made substantial progress. UN agencies, health workers, and local volunteers have been working tirelessly to ensure that the vaccines reach even the most remote areas of Gaza. The vaccination teams have been moving door-to-door, braving conflict zones to immunize children, while also educating families about the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of the virus.
However, even as the polio campaign progresses, efforts to secure a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have stalled. The conflict, which began on October 7 when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, has resulted in heavy casualties. The Health Ministry in Gaza has reported that more than 40,800 people have been killed in the ongoing offensive. The initial attack by Hamas resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the abduction of approximately 250 others.
The continuing hostilities present a grave threat to public health efforts in Gaza. Humanitarian organizations have called for sustained ceasefires to enable essential services, including vaccinations, to continue without interruption. In a region already plagued by war, disease outbreaks pose an additional risk to the vulnerable population, particularly children.
As the campaign moves forward, the international community’s support remains crucial. UN agencies, including UNICEF and WHO, are calling for increased funding and resources to help maintain vaccination efforts and address the broader health crisis in Gaza. They emphasize the need for international cooperation to ensure that children in conflict zones receive the protection they deserve against preventable diseases like polio.
The situation in Gaza remains precarious, but the vaccination campaign provides a glimmer of hope amid the conflict. As health workers continue their efforts to immunize children, the world watches closely, hoping for a breakthrough in both the public health crisis and the ongoing conflict. With determination and support, there is hope that the campaign will successfully reach its target, providing some relief to a population that has endured much hardship.
