Israel reports arrival of polio vaccines for over 1 million people in Gaza
The Palestinian Ministry of Health has confirmed the first case of polio in Gaza in 25 years, affecting a 10-month-old baby.
According to Israel’s COGAT, polio vaccines for over 1.25 million people have been delivered to Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
The vaccines were delivered in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, as part of their humanitarian efforts in the Palestinian territories.
International and local medical teams will administer the vaccines in various locations in Gaza in the coming days to children who have not yet been vaccinated against polio.
The vaccination drive will be carried out in coordination with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during routine humanitarian pauses to allow civilians access to health facilities.
Gaza’s Health Ministry has also confirmed receiving 1.26 million doses of polio vaccines, with preparations underway for a vaccination campaign in coordination with partners.
The IDF revealed that COGAT has coordinated the entry of 2.82 million doses of polio vaccines into Gaza since the outbreak of the war following a terrorist attack by Hamas in October 2023.
Polio is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects children under 5 years old and can lead to total paralysis within hours of infection, according to the WHO.
Symptoms of polio may include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, neck stiffness, and limb pain. The WHO reports that 1 in 200 infections results in irreversible paralysis, often in the legs, and can be fatal when breathing muscles are immobilized.
There is a call for a humanitarian pause to prevent the spread of polio among children in Gaza, as delaying this pause heightens the risk. UN agency head Philippe Lazzarini emphasized the importance of ensuring vaccines reach every child under 10 in Gaza.
Poliovirus was detected in wastewater samples from Gaza’s Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis in July, areas where many displaced Palestinians are seeking shelter.
UNICEF and WHO are advocating for a seven-day humanitarian pause in Gaza to facilitate vaccination campaigns and ensure safe access to health facilities for civilians.
Humanitarian groups plan to launch two rounds of a polio vaccination campaign in late August and September, expecting to deliver 1.6 million doses of vaccines. The WHO states that 95% vaccination coverage is necessary in each round to prevent the spread of polio in Gaza’s disrupted health and sanitation systems.
