Vaccination campaign successfully concluded in northern Gaza, reaching more than 94,000 children

A UN-backed polio vaccination campaign in the besieged northern Gaza region ended on Monday, with aid agencies working together to successfully vaccinate 94,000 children, but thousands of children remain unvaccinated.

“The main goal of this operation is to ensure that all children in northern Gaza receive the second and final dose of the polio vaccine,” said Dr. Pieper Cohen, the World Health Organization ‘s representative to the occupied Palestinian territories. “However, a year-long war, coupled with weeks of siege, and Israel’s constant evacuation orders and bombings have severely hampered the progress of vaccination and caused serious delays.”

Coverage rate is close to 80%

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East revealed that despite the difficulties, 79% of children in northern Gaza have completed all vaccinations. The agency stressed that a humanitarian ceasefire is crucial to the smooth progress of this operation, but if a lasting ceasefire cannot be reached, children will continue to suffer and face life threats.

The United Nations has expressed extreme alarm at the violence at vaccination sites, and World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep concern over reports of attacks on health centers over the weekend.

In a statement on Saturday, UNICEF Executive Director Russell pointed out that attacks on civilians, humanitarian workers, and civilian facilities and infrastructure in Gaza must stop immediately. She urged Israel to immediately investigate the attack on UNICEF staff and hold those responsible accountable.

Delivering results amid conflict

The three-day vaccination campaign was carried out during the humanitarian ceasefire period from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Although polio was eradicated in Gaza 25 years ago, this year’s war has triggered multiple humanitarian crises, leading to a resurgence of polio.

Data from the Gaza health department show that as of now, Israel’s military operations have caused more than 43,000 deaths and extensive damage to Gaza’s water supply stations and health facilities.

Despite the difficult situation, the Gaza Polio Technical Committee, which includes many agencies including the Palestinian Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF, UNRWA and others, decided to resume the vaccination campaign which had been suspended since October 23 due to lack of security.