6 November 2024 – The second spherical of the polio vaccination marketing campaign within the Gaza Strip was accomplished yesterday, with an total 556 774 kids below the age of 10 being vaccinated with a second dose of polio vaccine, and 448 425 kids between 2- to 10-years-old receiving vitamin A, following the three phases carried out within the final weeks.
Administrative knowledge affirm round 94% of the goal inhabitants of 591 714 kids below the age of 10 years acquired a second dose of nOPV2 throughout the Gaza Strip, which is a exceptional achievement given the extraordinarily tough circumstances the marketing campaign was executed below. The marketing campaign achieved 103% and 91% protection in central and southern Gaza, respectively. Nevertheless, in northern Gaza, the place the marketing campaign was compromised attributable to lack of entry, roughly 88% protection was achieved in response to preliminary knowledge. An estimated 7000-10 000 kids in inaccessible areas like Jabalia, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun stay unvaccinated and weak to the poliovirus. This additionally will increase the chance of additional unfold of poliovirus within the Gaza Strip and neighbouring nations.
The tip of this second spherical concludes the polio vaccination marketing campaign launched in September 2024. This spherical additionally befell in three phases throughout central, south and northern Gaza below area-specific humanitarian pauses. Whereas the primary two phases proceeded as deliberate, the third part in northern Gaza needed to be briefly postponed on 23 October due to intense bombardments, mass displacements, lack of assured humanitarian pauses and entry.
After cautious evaluation of the state of affairs by the technical committee, comprising the Palestinian Ministry of Well being, World Well being Group (WHO), United Nations Youngsters’s Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Reduction and Works Company for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the marketing campaign resumed on 2 November. Nevertheless, the world below the assured humanitarian pauses comprising the marketing campaign was considerably diminished, in comparison with the primary spherical, because the entry was restricted to Gaza Metropolis. On account of hostilities, greater than 150 000 individuals had been pressured to evacuate from North Gaza to Gaza Metropolis, which helped in accessing extra kids than anticipated.
Regardless of these challenges, and due to the super dedication, engagement and braveness of fogeys, kids, communities and well being staff, the part in northern Gaza was accomplished.
No less than two doses and a minimal of 90% vaccination protection are wanted in every group to cease circulation of the polio pressure affecting Gaza. Efforts will now proceed to spice up immunity ranges by routine immunization companies supplied at practical well being services and to strengthen illness surveillance to quickly detect any additional poliovirus transmission (both in affected kids or in environmental samples). The evolving epidemiology will decide if additional outbreak response could also be needed.
To totally implement surveillance and routine immunization companies, not only for polio however for all vaccine-preventable ailments, WHO and UNICEF proceed to name for a ceasefire. Additional, aside from the assault on the first healthcare centre, the marketing campaign underscores what may be achieved with humanitarian pauses. These actions should be systematically utilized past the polio emergency response efforts to different well being and humanitarian interventions to answer dire wants.
Notes to editors:
The polio marketing campaign, being carried out by the Palestinian Ministry of Well being in collaboration with the World Well being Group (WHO), the United Nations Youngsters’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Reduction and Works Company for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), and different companions, was a part of emergency efforts to cease a polio outbreak in Gaza, which was detected on 16 July 2024, and to stop additional unfold of poliovirus.
Since July 2024, circulating variant poliovirus sort 2 has been confirmed in Gaza in 11 environmental samples has been confirmed in Gaza in a 10-month-old paralysed baby (in August 2024).
