WHO suspends Gaza polio vaccination, gives reason

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A polio vaccination campaign in north Gaza has been postponed due to Israeli bombardments, mass displacement, and lack of access, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The final phase of the campaign, which was set to begin on October 23, aimed to vaccinate over 119,000 children in the Palestinian enclave, which has been under siege for over a year.

The WHO cited ongoing attacks on civilian infrastructure as a major concern, making it impossible for families to safely bring their children for vaccination and health workers to operate.

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“The current conditions, including ongoing attacks on civilian infrastructure, continue to jeopardize people’s safety and movement in northern Gaza, making it impossible for families to safely bring their children for vaccination, and health workers to operate,” the UN agency said in a statement, reiterating its call for a ceasefire.

The polio campaign began on September 1 after the WHO confirmed a baby was partially paralyzed by the type 2 polio virus, the first such case in the territory in 25 years.

Delays in administering a second dose of the vaccine could jeopardize efforts to halt transmission, potentially leading to further spread of poliovirus in the Gaza Strip and neighboring countries, with the risk of more children being paralyzed.

The WHO and UNICEF have urged all parties to ensure civilians, health workers, and civilian infrastructure are protected and renewed their call for an immediate ceasefire.

Humanitarian pauses are essential for the success of the vaccination campaign, allowing partners to deliver vaccination supplies, families to safely access vaccination sites, and mobile teams of health workers to reach children in their communities.

Since the rollout of the second round of the polio campaign on October 14, over 442,000 children under ten years have been successfully vaccinated in central and south Gaza, achieving 94% of the target in these areas.

However, the current conditions in northern Gaza make it challenging to replicate this success, highlighting the need for a temporary truce to facilitate the vaccination campaign.

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