In the midst of escalating violence and bombardment, the Polio Technical Committee for Gaza has made the difficult decision to postpone the third phase of the polio vaccination campaign. This critical phase aimed to protect 119,279 children across northern Gaza from the debilitating disease.
The ongoing attacks on civilian infrastructure have created a perilous environment, making it impossible for families to safely bring their children for vaccination and health workers to operate. Despite being fully prepared with logistics, supplies, and trained personnel, the reduced humanitarian pause area, now limited to Gaza City, would have left many children in northern Gaza vulnerable to poliovirus.
To effectively combat the outbreak, at least 90% of children in every community and neighborhood must receive the vaccine. Humanitarian pauses are crucial, enabling the delivery of vaccination supplies, safe access to vaccination sites, and mobile health teams to reach children.
The consequences of delaying the second dose of the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) are dire, jeopardizing efforts to stop poliovirus transmission and risking further spread to neighboring countries. The stakes are high, with more children at risk of paralysis.
In contrast, central and southern Gaza have seen success, with 442,855 children under ten vaccinated (94% of the target) and 357,802 receiving vitamin A supplements since October 14, 2024.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) urge all parties to protect civilians, health workers, and infrastructure, renewing their call for an immediate ceasefire. The future of northern Gaza’s children hangs in the balance, and swift action is necessary to ensure their safety and well-being.
WHO /Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO