The World Health Organization (WHO) successfully vaccinated 161,000 Palestinian children in Gaza over two days as part of a polio vaccination campaign, surpassing the initial target of 156,550.
During a press conference via video link from Gaza to journalists in Geneva, Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, reported that 74,340 children were vaccinated on the campaign’s second day, with over 86,600 children vaccinated on the first day.
Dr. Peeperkorn noted that most of the remaining children in central Gaza are expected to receive the vaccine by the end of the first round. Multiple teams were deployed at larger fixed sites, with some operating as mobile units to ensure no child is missed.
Larger populations in Maghazi, Bureij, and Al-Masdar prompted the deployment of additional vaccine shipments to primary healthcare centers due to high demand.
Dr. Peeperkorn emphasized the significant risk of type 2 poliovirus infection within Gaza and beyond, citing factors like gaps in children’s immunity from disrupted routine immunizations, high newborn rates, healthcare system destruction, population displacement, malnutrition, and damaged water and sanitation systems.
In response to the first recorded case of the virus in Gaza, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan directed the allocation of $5 million last Saturday to support the emergency polio vaccination campaign. This initiative is part of the UAE’s ongoing relief efforts for the Palestinian people, particularly children, facing challenging humanitarian conditions.
