Amid continued conflict and adversity, a ray of hope has emerged for the children of Gaza. The United Nations has reported the successful start of a vital vaccination campaign aimed at vaccinating 640,000 young people against polio, a disease not seen in the territory for a quarter of a century. The initiative is a vital effort to safeguard the future of Gaza’s youngest residents during one of the most challenging times in the territory’s recent history.
Polio vaccination campaign kicks off
The vaccination drive is a huge task given the dire circumstances in Gaza. The campaign is being carried out through a series of carefully timed humanitarian breaks in the ongoing conflict between the Israeli army and Hamas fighters. These breaks, scheduled from 06:00 am to 15:00 pm local time over a period of three days, are crucial to ensure that healthcare workers can safely reach communities in need of these lifesaving vaccines.
On the first full day of the campaign, the response has been encouraging. According to UNICEF spokesperson Salim Owais, the early stages of the rollout have been promising. Nearly 2,000 children were vaccinated at just one clinic in Deir el-Balah, a testament to the eagerness of the community and the efficiency of the operation so far.
The importance of timely vaccination
The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized that to effectively stop the spread of polio, at least 90% of children under the age of 10 must be vaccinated within a short time frame. The campaign is a direct response to the first confirmed case of polio in Gaza in 25 years, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive vaccination effort.
Almost 1.3 million doses of polio vaccine have already been delivered to Gaza through the Kerem Shalom checkpoint, thanks to UNICEF’s efforts. These doses are being stored under austere conditions to maintain their efficacy. An additional 400,000 doses are expected to arrive soon, which will provide further support to the mass vaccination campaign.
Overcoming challenges in a conflict zone
Implementing a vaccination campaign in a conflict zone like Gaza presents unique and difficult challenges. Temporary ceasefires are necessary, but they are only one part of the equation. UNICEF’s Jonathan Croix underscores the importance of these pauses, saying that conducting a vaccination campaign in the midst of active warfare is impractical and dangerous. Both the safety of health workers and the safety of families bringing their children for vaccination are paramount.
Dr. Mohammed Salha, a physician involved in the campaign, highlights another critical challenge: fuel shortages. Fuel is needed not only to power hospitals but also to maintain the cold chain needed to properly store vaccines. Fuel shortages can disrupt both of these vital functions, increasing the complexity of the operation.
Additionally, there are concerns about the psychological impact of conflict on families. Many parents displaced by ongoing violence face significant barriers to accessing health services. The fear and uncertainty experienced by these families may further impede their participation in the vaccination campaign.
The personal stories behind the statistics
One of the many families affected by the conflict is that of Niveen Abu Judayan, a mother of nine whose younger son, Abdulrahman, was recently diagnosed with polio. The family’s horrific experience underscores the urgency of the vaccination campaign. Abdulrahman, once a healthy infant, has been left partially paralyzed by the disease. Niveen’s emotional struggle reflects the broader reality faced by many in Gaza, where routine vaccinations have been disrupted by the ongoing conflict.
The plight of the Abu Judayan family highlights the wider implications of the polio outbreak. Conditions in Gaza, including a lack of clean drinking water and inadequate sanitation, create fertile ground for the spread of infectious diseases. The recent detection of the poliovirus in wastewater samples further demonstrates the critical need for rapid and widespread vaccination efforts.
Broader implications and future outlook
The stakes are high not just for Gaza but also for the surrounding region. Dr. Hamid Jafari of WHO explains that the high transmission rate in Gaza puts the virus at risk of spreading to neighbouring territories, such as Israel and the West Bank. Therefore, the success of this vaccination campaign is not just a local concern but also has regional implications.
The effort to vaccinate Gaza’s children is a race against time. Each child must receive two doses of the oral polio vaccine, four weeks apart. This strategy is essential to prevent the virus from mutating and to stop its transmission. The polio variant responsible for the current outbreak is a mutated form of the virus used in the oral vaccine, underscoring the need for vigilance and prompt action.