Polio vaccinations are set to resume in northern Gaza, as announced by the World Health Organization (WHO). This decision follows the completion of the second dose of the polio vaccine for over 442,000 children in the central and southern regions of Gaza last month, marking the continuation of a two-stage vaccination initiative.
The second phase of this campaign was initially delayed in October due to severe Israeli bombardments, widespread displacement of civilians, and restricted access to certain areas. The urgency of this vaccination effort has been heightened by the emergence of Gaza’s first polio case in 25 years, which resulted in the paralysis of a baby boy in August, leading to the swift implementation of the vaccination program.
As vaccinations are set to recommence, WHO reports that fifteen UN and humanitarian organizations have described the humanitarian situation in northern Gaza as “apocalyptic.” This assessment comes nearly a month after an Israeli ground offensive was initiated. A temporary halt in hostilities has been arranged to facilitate the resumption of vaccinations in Gaza City.
Despite the planned vaccination efforts, the WHO expressed concerns that approximately 15,000 children under the age of 10 in northern towns such as Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun remain inaccessible, which will adversely impact the effectiveness of the vaccination campaign. The WHO had set a target to administer a second dose of the oral polio vaccine to 119,000 children in the region, but this goal now appears increasingly difficult to achieve due to ongoing access restrictions.
The initial phase of the vaccination campaign was able to reach 559,000 children under 10 years old across three stages in southern, central, and northern Gaza from September 1 to September 12, during which temporary humanitarian pauses were arranged by both Israeli and Palestinian groups.
However, the area designated for the most recent humanitarian pause has been significantly reduced compared to previous rounds of vaccinations, now limited primarily to Gaza City, according to WHO sources. Medical experts have consistently emphasized that any delays in administering the second dose of the vaccine could undermine overall efforts to control the transmission of polio, a contagious and potentially fatal disease.
To effectively halt transmission, it is crucial that at least 90% of children receive a minimum of two doses of the vaccine. The UN human rights chief recently remarked that the situation in northern Gaza represents the “darkest moment” of the ongoing conflict, with Israel conducting ground operations aimed at preventing Hamas fighters from regrouping since early October. The WHO has reported that over 100,000 individuals have been forced to flee from northern Gaza towards Gaza City in search of safety.
A joint statement from various UN agencies, including the WHO, described the dire situation in northern Gaza as “apocalyptic,” highlighting that the entire Palestinian population in the region faces an imminent threat from disease, famine, and violence. This urgent backdrop underscores the critical need for continued vaccination efforts to protect children and curb the potential spread of polio in the region.
