UN Launches Ambitious Polio Vaccination Drive in Gaza Amid Conflict

The United Nations will begin vaccinating 640,000 children under age 10 in Gaza against polio, with eight-hour daily pauses in conflict. This follows a confirmed case of polio paralysis. The campaign faces significant challenges due to ongoing conflict and requires two doses for 90% of children to be effective.

The United Nations has initiated a large-scale polio vaccination campaign in Gaza, targeting 640,000 children under the age of 10. This effort, prompted by a recent confirmed case of polio paralysis, will rely on daily eight-hour pauses in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The campaign aims to vaccinate at least 90% of the children twice, with four weeks between doses to ensure effectiveness. The effort is complicated by nearly 11 months of war in Gaza, but WHO officials remain hopeful. 'It's not ideal, but feasible,' said Rik Peeperkorn, WHO's senior official for the Palestinian territories.

The vaccination drive will be conducted in three phases across central, southern, and northern Gaza, with fighting pausing for eight hours on three consecutive days during each phase. These pauses may extend to a fourth day if needed, making each round of vaccinations just under two weeks long. The campaign is vital to prevent the spread of this highly contagious disease that recognizes no borders, according to U.N. officials.

(With inputs from agencies.)