UNRWA chief: Gaza polio vaccination coverage has reached 90%
Polio vaccination coverage in Gaza has reached 90%, according to Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA). This milestone marks a significant achievement in the campaign to protect children in the region against the virus. However, the next crucial step is ensuring that hundreds of thousands of children receive a second dose by the end of the month.
The vaccination effort, which began on September 1, targets approximately 640,000 children under the age of 10. Despite the difficult conditions caused by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, substantial progress has been made. Earlier in the month, more than 446,000 children in central and southern Gaza were vaccinated. The campaign extended to northern Gaza on September 10, aiming to reach an additional 200,000 children. This phase has been challenging due to access restrictions, evacuation orders, and fuel shortages.
The urgency of the vaccination drive was underscored by a recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO), which confirmed the first case of polio-induced paralysis in Gaza in 25 years. The case involved the type 2 polio virus, highlighting the critical need for widespread vaccination.
Lazzarini commended the respect shown for humanitarian pauses during the conflict, which has allowed the campaign to proceed with minimal disruption. “Our next challenge is to provide children with their second dose at the end of September,” he stated on X (formerly Twitter).
The conflict has had a devastating impact on Gaza, with Israel’s military campaign, launched on October 7 last year in response to a Hamas incursion, resulting in the deaths of over 41,000 Palestinians and widespread destruction across the territory.
