GENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday that it hopes to resume administering a second dose of the polio vaccine to children in northern Gaza next week, after Israeli bombings halted the vaccination efforts.
The campaign began on September 1 following the confirmation of Gaza’s first polio case in 25 years. The first round of vaccinations was completed, and the second round—essential for building immunity—started as scheduled on October 14 in central and southern Gaza, aided by temporary humanitarian pauses in the conflict.
However, the WHO stated on Wednesday that it had to postpone the final phase in northern Gaza due to “intense bombardment,” making the situation on the ground “impossible.” Israel has been conducting a significant air and ground assault in the region to prevent Hamas militants from regrouping.
Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO’s representative in the Palestinian territories, expressed optimism about continuing the campaign. “We still have good hopes that we can do this,” he said. He noted a potential window for vaccination between October 28 and November 5, emphasizing the need for access to children, regardless of their location.
“It is critically important to finish this,” Peeperkorn stated, highlighting the shared responsibility of all parties involved in the conflict to protect the children. He expressed concern that the virus could spread beyond the devastated territory.
To date, 452,000 children have been vaccinated in central and southern Gaza, while 119,000 children in the north are still awaiting their second dose. The WHO emphasizes that at least two doses of the oral vaccine are necessary to interrupt poliovirus transmission, requiring 90 percent vaccination coverage among children under 10 in a community.
Poliovirus, which spreads through contaminated water and sewage, is highly infectious and can lead to severe health issues, including paralysis and death, particularly in children under five.
Earlier this week, the WHO postponed the vaccination campaign due to ongoing attacks on civilian infrastructure, which jeopardize the safety of families and health workers in northern Gaza.
