WHO delays polio vaccination in Gaza due to Israeli non-compliance with humanitarian pause

The third phase of polio vaccination in the Gaza Strip. which was scheduled to begin this Wednesday on the north Strip.had to be postponed due to escalation of hostilities and Israeli non-compliance with humanitarian pausesThis was reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).

” Current conditions with attacks on civilian infrastructure continue to jeopardize public safety and movements in the northern Gaza Strip that are preventing families from taking their children for vaccinations,” the organization said in a statement.

The UN health agency warned about this. break in vaccination “you can put Efforts to contain the spread of the polio virus in the Gaza Strip are under serious threat and neighboring countries, threatening to paralyze even more children.

This third and final phase of the vaccination campaign goals administer second dose to 119,279 children in northern Gazaafter receiving the previous one in the first half of September.

“However, many children may skip the second one because The territory established for temporary humanitarian pauses has been significantly reduced until it covers only the capital of Gaza, much less than during the first dose,” the WHO explained, explaining the reasons for the interruption of the campaign.

According to the agency, at least 90% of children in a community must be vaccinated to ensure the campaign is effective, a requirement that cannot be met under current conditions.

He also warns thatdelay the second dose for more than six weeks. vaccines will reduce the effectiveness of immunization.

In central and southern Gaza Strip WHO in collaboration with other UN humanitarian agencies and the Palestinian Ministry of Health managed to vaccinate 442,855 children94% of the total.