In brief
The World Health Organization has resumed its polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza after a humanitarian pause. Despite efforts, many children will still miss the vaccines due to ongoing conflict and accessibility issues, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the efforts to combat polio.
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the restart of polio vaccinations in northern Gaza this past Saturday, marking the start of the final phase of a critical vaccination campaign. Following the onset of a significant humanitarian pause, the initiative aims to protect the child population against a disease that recently resurfaced in the region.In August, Gaza reported its first polio case in 25 years—a baby boy who was left paralyzed—prompting the urgent need for this vaccination campaign. Just last month, over 442,000 children in central and southern Gaza received their second dose as part of the earlier phases of the campaign that commenced despite considerable hurdles.The situation in northern Gaza remains dire, as 15 UN and humanitarian organizations describe it as "apocalyptic." The ongoing Israeli military offensive has led to mass displacements, limiting access for medical teams and jeopardizing the delivery of crucial health services. The WHO had initially aimed to immunize 119,000 children in the area but now predicts that achieving this target is unlikely due to the complex and evolving situation on the ground.Despite orchestrated humanitarian pauses in previous vaccination rounds, access has been further restricted in this phase limited to just Gaza City, leaving towns like Jabalia and Beit Hanoun inaccessible to health workers. Approximately 15,000 children under ten years old will likely miss out on the vaccination, diminishing the campaign's overall effectiveness.Health officials stress that the delays in vaccine administration could have severe consequences for halting the contagious and potentially fatal disease. For a successful interruption of polio transmission, a vaccination rate of at least 90% is necessary among children, emphasizing the urgency of the campaign.Compounding the crisis, the UN has voiced alarm over the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the region, with accusations that hundreds of civilians have died as a direct result of the ongoing military operations initiated against Hamas following their attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. As fears mount over the dire conditions faced by Gaza's remaining inhabitants, which include shortages of food, water, and medical supplies, international scrutiny is increasing. The U.S. has reiterated calls for Israel to ramp up humanitarian aid to Gaza, warning of potential consequences if improvements are not made.The situation remains complex as health authorities and the international community grapple with the pressing health crisis amidst ongoing conflict.
