Gaza: The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the postponement of the third phase of its polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza due to intense violence and mass displacement, raising concerns about the potential spread of the virus. The campaign, which aimed to vaccinate nearly 120,000 children, was set to commence today but has been delayed due to ongoing bombardment.
According to Kuwait News Agency, WHO emphasized that the postponement could jeopardize efforts to control polio in Gaza and neighboring regions, increasing the risk of paralysis among children. The organization stressed that the vaccination campaign is crucial for halting the spread of poliovirus in the area. The Polio Technical Committee for Gaza, which includes WHO, the Palestinian Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and UNRWA, had planned this campaign to cover a significant number of children in northern Gaza.
WHO highlighted that the reduction of safe zones for humanitarian activities between vaccination phases has already hindered ma
ny children from receiving their necessary doses. A delay in the administration of a second dose of the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) could diminish the intended effect of boosting immunity and interrupting virus transmission, the organization stated.
In a previous phase of the campaign, WHO successfully immunized over 442,000 children under the age of 10 in central and southern Gaza. The organization, along with its partners, has reiterated the necessity for adherence to international humanitarian law and the safeguarding of health workers and infrastructure to ensure the safe continuation of the campaign.
WHO and its partners are calling for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate the completion of the vaccination campaign and prevent the threat of paralysis among children.