WHO announced in September 2024 that the first phase of a polio vaccination campaign has been “successfully” completed in Gaza. Over 187,000 children under ten years were vaccinated with novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) in central Gaza between 1st and 3rd September. Coverage for this phase has exceeded the initial estimated target of 157,000 children, which WHO attributes to population movement towards central Gaza and expanded coverage in areas outside the humanitarian pause zone. Vaccination will continue at four large health facilities in central Gaza to ensure that no child is missed in the area.
First phase complete
The first phase was conducted by 513 teams, comprising more than 2180 health and community outreach workers. Vaccinations were offered at 143 fixed sites, including hospitals, medical points, primary care centres, camps where displaced people are living, key public gathering spaces, food and water distribution points, and transit routes. Mobile teams also visited tents and hard-to-reach areas to ensure families who were unable to attend fixed sites were able to access vaccines. Special missions to Al-Maghazi, Al-Bureij, and Al-Mussader were also needed to reach a “substantial number of children” who were eligible for vaccination but unable to reach vaccination sites.
Dr Richard Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for the occupied Palestinian territory described the completed first phase as “positive momentum”.
“It has been extremely encouraging to see thousands of children being able to access polio vaccines, with the support of their resilient families and courageous health workers, despite the deplorable conditions they have braved over the last 11 months.”
The next phases
The next phase of the campaign will be conducted in southern Gaza between 5th and 8th September, targeting an estimated 340,000 children under ten. This phase will involve 517 teams, including 384 mobile teams. Almost 300 community outreach workers have begun outreach to families in southern Gaza to raise awareness about the campaign. 490 vaccine carriers, 90 cold storage boxes, and additional supplies have been transferred to Khan Younis for distribution. The third and final phase of the campaign will be implemented in northern Gaza between 9th and 11th September, targeting around 150,000 children.
Dr Peeperkorn commented that the “successful delivery” of the first phase is a “culmination of immense coordination among various partners” and donors. It “underscores the importance of peace for the health and well-being of people in Gaza”.
“We call on all parties to continue fulfilling their commitment to the humanitarian pauses as the second phase of the campaign begins tomorrow.”
Each round of the campaign must achieve vaccine coverage of 90% of higher to stop the polio outbreak and reduce the risk of re-emergence “given the severely disrupted health, water, and sanitation systems in the Gaza Strip”. Coverage will be monitored throughout the campaign with the potential to extend vaccinations if needed to meet coverage targets.
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