GAZA — The Gaza Strip is confronting a significant public health challenge with the emergence of its first polio case in 25 years, amid ongoing conflict and severe restrictions. This outbreak has intensified the need for a large-scale vaccination campaign, which is facing numerous obstacles.
Following confirmation of polio in a 10-month-old infant from central Gaza, the United Nations has mobilized resources to combat the spread. The UN has scheduled a mass vaccination effort to commence on August 31, with equipment already arriving in the region.
The Palestinian health ministry in the West Bank reported last week that tests conducted in Jordan verified the presence of polio in the child. Although Gaza had been polio-free for a quarter-century, traces of the type 2 poliovirus were detected in wastewater samples collected earlier this year.
Poliovirus, a highly contagious pathogen, spreads primarily through contaminated water and sewage—a problem exacerbated by the ongoing conflict, which has disrupted sanitation infrastructure. The disease primarily affects young children, potentially leading to paralysis, deformities, and death.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have outlined plans to vaccinate approximately 640,000 children in Gaza. The campaign involves deploying 2,700 health workers in 708 teams, with WHO overseeing operations and UNICEF managing the vaccine distribution and cold chain.
Challenges include the ongoing Israeli military operations, which have intensified following Hamas’s October 7 attack. UNRWA’s Juliette Touma highlighted the difficulties of conducting such a large-scale vaccination campaign amidst continuous airstrikes. The Israeli military campaign has resulted in significant casualties in Gaza, with recent reports indicating over 40,000 fatalities.
Vaccination supplies, including 1.6 million doses of the oral polio vaccine, are scheduled to arrive via the Kerem Shalom crossing on Sunday. These will be stored in a UN facility in Gaza before being distributed to various health centers and shelters.
The conflict has severely impacted Gaza’s health infrastructure, with only 16 of the region’s 36 hospitals currently operational and only 11 equipped to maintain the necessary cold chain for vaccine storage. This situation complicates the logistics of the vaccination drive, especially as many residents are displaced and living in makeshift camps or shelters.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for temporary ceasefires to facilitate vaccination efforts. Without a secure environment, reaching the target of vaccinating 95% of children under 10 remains uncertain, according to Gaza health official Moussa Abed.
In response to the crisis, Israel’s civilian affairs body, COGAT, has promised cooperation with international efforts to address the polio outbreak. A spokesperson indicated a commitment to support the vaccination campaign, although specifics were not detailed.
As Gaza grapples with this health emergency amidst ongoing conflict, the effectiveness of the vaccination campaign will depend on overcoming logistical challenges and ensuring the safety of health workers and residents.
