Gaza Strip – September 1, 2024
A mass vaccination campaign has been launched in the Gaza Strip to inoculate children against polio, as the region grapples with a deteriorating healthcare system amid Israel’s ongoing military offensive. The Gaza Health Ministry announced that the campaign began on Saturday at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, marking the start of a crucial public health initiative aimed at preventing the spread of the deadly virus.
The campaign, which officially commences under the leadership of the United Nations on Sunday, targets over 640,000 children under the age of 10 across the Gaza Strip. Health officials initiated the first phase of the vaccination drive in central Gaza, with plans to expand to southern and northern regions in the coming days. The vaccine, which is administered orally, requires two doses.
The urgency of the campaign was highlighted after a 10-month-old Palestinian infant was paralyzed by a mutated strain of the polio virus. This alarming development prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations to act swiftly, delivering 1.26 million doses of the oral vaccine to Gaza. An additional 400,000 doses are expected to arrive shortly.
Michael Ryan, the WHO’s deputy director-general, addressed the UN Security Council earlier this week, emphasizing the critical need for the vaccination campaign in the midst of Gaza’s ongoing crisis. The region’s healthcare system has been severely compromised by the war, with hospitals and clinics struggling to operate under relentless bombardment, shortages of medical supplies, and widespread destruction of infrastructure.
The vaccination campaign will be conducted in three separate three-day periods, spanning from September 1 to September 12. Health officials are working under extraordinary conditions to ensure that the campaign reaches every corner of the besieged territory, despite the logistical challenges posed by the conflict.
“Protecting the children of Gaza from polio is a top priority, even in the face of the ongoing conflict,” said a representative from the Gaza Health Ministry. “This campaign is not just about preventing a virus; it’s about safeguarding the future of our children in the midst of unimaginable hardship.”
The polio vaccination drive is a vital effort to prevent an outbreak that could have catastrophic consequences for a population already suffering from the ravages of war. Polio, a highly contagious viral infection, can lead to permanent paralysis and, in some cases, death. The virus primarily affects children under five, making the vaccination of Gaza’s young population a critical public health imperative.
The ongoing conflict has exacerbated the challenges facing Gaza’s healthcare providers, who are working tirelessly to deliver the vaccines while also tending to the thousands of wounded civilians. The WHO and other international organizations have expressed deep concern over the state of Gaza’s healthcare system, warning that the collapse of medical services could lead to further health crises beyond the current polio threat.
As the campaign progresses, health workers are navigating a perilous environment to ensure that every child in Gaza receives the vaccine. The success of this campaign is crucial in preventing a polio outbreak and protecting the lives of the most vulnerable in a region already devastated by conflict.
The people of Gaza, especially the families of the young children being vaccinated, are holding onto hope that this campaign will be a step toward securing a healthier future for the next generation, even as they endure the horrors of war.
e.news 
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