A five-day mass polio vaccination marketing campaign within the Gaza Strip concluded on Wednesday, reaching almost 603 000 kids underneath 10 years of age with novel oral polio vaccine kind 2 (nOPV2) following complete, simultaneous entry to all 5 governorates in the course of the ongoing ceasefire. The marketing campaign was performed as a part of emergency efforts to finish an ongoing poliovirus outbreak and forestall additional unfold within the Gaza Strip.
During this spherical, a further 40 000 kids had been vaccinated as in comparison with the earlier two rounds performed in September and October 2024, after poliovirus was detected within the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire enabled well being staff to succeed in extra kids who had missed vaccinations as a result of displacement in the course of the phased strategy, dwelling in areas that beforehand required particular coordination for entry, or being unreachable in the course of the October 2024 spherical as a result of insecurity in North Gaza, together with Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun.
Strong group engagement and consciousness of vaccination advantages had maintained excessive immunization charges within the Gaza Strip, the place 89% of kids 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. Despite unhealthy climate situations, households welcomed the initiative and introduced their kids to factors the place they might obtain the polio vaccine.
The marketing campaign was performed by the Palestinian Ministry of Health and carried out with help from the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and different companions.
As a part of the Global 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 extra vaccination to guard kids.
As the ceasefire gives a chance to renew important public well being features, working to get better Gaza’s beforehand robust illness surveillance and routine immunization are the very best methods to guard kids from polio and different vaccine-preventable illnesses. Ending polio hinges on totally vaccinating each final youngster with polio vaccines. Ensuring uninterrupted entry to protected water, sanitation and hygiene, and correct diet will defend kids from many illnesses together with polio.
WHO, UNICEF and companions proceed to name for a long-lasting ceasefire that results in long-term well being and peace.
Sourced from WHO
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