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In a significant public health effort, over 187,000 children under the age of ten were vaccinated with the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) during the first phase of a two-round polio vaccination campaign in central Gaza. Conducted from 1–3 September 2024, this phase exceeded the initial target of 157,000 children due to increased population movement towards central Gaza and expanded coverage in areas outside the humanitarian pause zone.
Despite the challenging conditions, the campaign achieved remarkable success. Dr. Richard Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for the occupied Palestinian territory, expressed optimism about the campaign’s progress, stating, “It has been extremely encouraging to see thousands of children being able to access polio vaccines, with the support of their resilient families and courageous health workers, despite the deplorable conditions they have braved over the last 11 months.”
Polio vaccination efforts will continue over the coming days at four large health facilities in central Gaza to ensure no child is missed. Vaccines have been supplied to these sites to meet additional needs.
Extensive Effort by Health Teams
The first phase involved 513 teams consisting of over 2,180 health and community outreach workers. Vaccination was provided at 143 fixed sites, including hospitals, medical points, camps, and temporary learning spaces. In addition, mobile teams visited tents and hard-to-reach areas to vaccinate children who could not reach these fixed sites. Special missions were carried out in areas such as Al-Maghazi, Al-Bureij, and Al-Mussader, just outside the humanitarian pause zone, to reach families affected by insecurity.
Preparations for Upcoming Phases
Following the successful first phase, preparations are underway for the second phase of the campaign in southern Gaza from 5–8 September 2024, targeting an estimated 340,000 children. A total of 517 teams, including 384 mobile teams, will be deployed, and nearly 300 community outreach workers are already engaged in awareness efforts. Vaccine carriers and cold storage boxes have been transferred to ensure adequate distribution across southern Gaza.
The third and final phase will be implemented in northern Gaza from 9–11 September, aiming to vaccinate around 150,000 children.
Importance of Campaign
At least 90% vaccination coverage is required during each phase to stop the outbreak and prevent international spread. The campaign, led by the Palestinian Ministry of Health in collaboration with WHO, UNICEF, UNRWA, and other partners, aims to provide two doses of nOPV2 to approximately 640,000 children during each round.
The campaign is a crucial response to the detection of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in Gaza after 25 years of being polio-free. Six environmental samples collected from central Gaza in June 2024 tested positive for cVDPV2, and four children have been diagnosed with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), including one confirmed polio case. The use of nOPV2, a globally recommended vaccine for variant poliovirus type 2, is critical in stopping the transmission of the virus.
Dr. Peeperkorn emphasized the importance of continued cooperation for the campaign’s success: “We call on all parties to continue fulfilling their commitment to the humanitarian pauses as the second phase of the campaign begins tomorrow.”
As Gaza faces significant health, water, and sanitation challenges, this vaccination campaign provides a glimmer of hope for the protection of its children and the prevention of a polio resurgence.
