Polio marketing campaign in Gaza Strip reaches round 603 000 kids with higher entry
28 February 2025, Jerusalem/Amman/Geneva – A five-day mass polio vaccination marketing campaign within the Gaza Strip concluded on Wednesday, reaching almost 603 000 kids below 10 years of age with novel oral polio vaccine kind 2 (nOPV2) following complete, simultaneous entry to all 5 governorates through the ongoing ceasefire. The marketing campaign was carried out as a part of emergency efforts to finish an ongoing poliovirus outbreak and stop additional unfold within the Gaza Strip.
Throughout this spherical, an extra 40 000 kids had been vaccinated as in comparison with the earlier two rounds carried out in September and October 2024, after poliovirus was detected within the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire enabled well being staff to achieve extra kids who had missed vaccinations resulting from displacement through the phased method, dwelling in areas that beforehand required particular coordination for entry, or being unreachable through the October 2024 spherical resulting from insecurity in North Gaza, together with Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun.
Sturdy group engagement and consciousness of vaccination advantages had maintained excessive immunization charges within the Gaza Strip, the place 89% of youngsters acquired the third dose of oral polio vaccine in 2023, earlier than the battle. This spherical drew upon 1660 vaccination groups, 1242 of which had been cellular, and deployed 1242 social mobilizers. Regardless of dangerous climate situations, households welcomed the initiative and introduced their kids to factors the place they may obtain the polio vaccine.
The marketing campaign was carried out by the Palestinian Ministry of Well being and carried out with assist from the World Well being Group (WHO), the United Nations Youngsters’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Reduction and Works Company for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and different companions.
As a part of the World Polio Eradication Initiative’s dedication to mount a sturdy poliovirus outbreak response, surveillance for illness in kids and for virus circulation within the setting has additionally been intensified since July 2024. It was this well timed surveillance that detected ongoing environmental circulation of the virus, and the necessity to conduct further vaccination to guard kids.
Because the ceasefire gives a possibility to renew vital public well being capabilities, working to get better Gaza’s beforehand sturdy illness surveillance and routine immunization are one of the best methods to guard kids from polio and different vaccine-preventable illnesses. Ending polio hinges on absolutely vaccinating each final youngster with polio vaccines. Making certain uninterrupted entry to secure water, sanitation and hygiene, and correct vitamin will shield kids from many illnesses together with polio.
WHO, UNICEF and companions proceed to name for an enduring ceasefire that results in long-term well being and peace.
