U.N. Launches Polio Vaccination Campaign Amidst Gaza Conflict

The United Nations is set to vaccinate 640,000 Gaza children against polio, relying on daily pauses in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The campaign follows a polio outbreak and requires two doses per child over four weeks. Security and access are critical amid ongoing hostilities.

The United Nations is launching a critical polio vaccination campaign for 640,000 children in the Gaza Strip, set to begin Sunday, despite the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas militants. Daily eight-hour fighting pauses will facilitate the vaccination effort.

This intricate operation aims to immunize children under ten, following the recent confirmation of a polio case, the first in 25 years. WHO officials emphasize that 90% of children must receive two doses for the campaign to succeed. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO's senior official for the Palestinian territories, noted the logistical hurdles posed by Gaza's near-total destruction from almost 11 months of war.

The campaign will be executed in three phases across Gaza, with each phase necessitating extended pauses in fighting, potentially lasting up to four days. However, available maps suggest these pauses will cover limited areas within each zone. U.N. and Israeli officials stress the importance of ensuring security and access to carry out the vaccinations effectively and contain this preventable disease.

(With inputs from agencies.)