WHO begins polio vaccination efforts in Gaza for 600,000 children

[KARAH RUCKER]

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION IS STEPPING UP ITS RESPONSE TO A POSSIBLE POLIO OUTBREAK IN GAZA BY DISTRIBUTING 1.2 MILLION VACCINES, AFTER THE VIRUS WAS DETECTED IN THE REGION’S WASTEWATER. 

THE VACCINATION CAMPAIGN TARGETS 600-THOUSAND CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHT, WITH THE FIRST ROUND STARTING NEXT WEEK.

HOWEVER, DELIVERING THESE CRUCIAL VACCINES PRESENTS SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES. IN JULY, GAZA’S HEALTH MINISTRY DECLARED A POLIO EPIDEMIC IN THE REGION. WITH ONLY A FEW HOSPITALS STILL OPERATIONAL, GAZA’S MEDICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IS SEVERELY STRAINED. OFFICIALS SAYING THIS SITUATION, WORSENED BY STRICT MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS, MAKES DOOR-TO-DOOR VACCINE DISTRIBUTION PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT.

THE AGENCY’S CHIEF EMPHASIZED THE NECESSITY OF A TEMPORARY CEASEFIRE, ADVOCATING FOR ‘ABSOLUTE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT’ TO ENSURE THE VACCINES REACH THOSE MOST IN NEED WITHOUT DELAY.

DR. TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS
WHO DIRECTOR-GENERAL
“The detection of polio in wastewater in Gaza is a tell-tale sign that the virus has been circulating in the community, putting unvaccinated children at risk. WHO is also supporting routine immunization and disease surveillance, including for polio. We need absolute freedom of movement for health workers and medical equipment to carry out these complex operations safely and effectively.”

[KARAH RUCKER]

DR. TEDROS HIGHLIGHTED THE DISASTROUS PUBLIC HEALTH CONDITIONS IN GAZA — OVERCROWDING, DESTROYED SEWAGE SYSTEMS, AND SCARCE CLEAN WATER — CREATING A PERFECT BREEDING GROUND FOR THE POLIOVIRUS.

THE ISRAELI MILITARY SAID IT HAD BEGAN VACCINATING ITS SOLDIERS AGAINST THE DISEASE LAST MONTH. SO FAR THE WHO SAYS NO CLINICAL CASES HAVE BEEN FOUND.

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