Amidst ongoing conflict, Gaza has launched a mass polio vaccination campaign to inoculate over 640,000 children after the first case in 25 years was detected in a 10-month-old baby.

The urgent vaccination effort, targeting children under age 10, follows a significant drop in vaccination rates due to the war, which has led to fears of widespread disease outbreaks in the densely populated territory. Supported by international organizations and with Israel's consent for vaccination pauses, the campaign aims to curb the spread of a mutated polio strain detected in sewage and prevent further paralysis in vulnerable populations.

The recent polio case was reported in a 10-month-old child who remains partially paralyzed due to the virus. This has raised alarm bells among health officials, who emphasize the urgency of the situation. The mutated strain, identified in sewage samples taken in July 2024, is derived from an oral polio vaccine, a development that raises concerns about the adequacy of immunization practices in the region.

Health authorities project that over 640,000 children will need vaccination as part of this initiative. The campaign will initially focus on 157,000 children in central Gaza, with two rounds of vaccination planned. Each child will receive two drops of the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) in the first phase, followed by a second dose four weeks later. This strategic rollout aims to maximize coverage in the face of the ongoing challenges posed by the conflict.

The last reported case of polio in Gaza before this outbreak occurred 25 years ago, a testament to successful vaccination efforts at that time. However, in recent years, health officials observed a significant decline in polio vaccination coverage—from 99% in 2022 to an estimated 89% in 2023. This decrease can largely be attributed to the ongoing war, which has disrupted healthcare services and access to vaccinations.

The Gaza vaccination campaign is being facilitated by numerous organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), in cooperation with the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health. Their collective effort is crucial in mobilizing resources, outreach, and logistics to ensure that children receive the vaccinations.

Providing effective immunization while conflict persists remains a complex challenge. Israeli authorities have agreed to limited pauses in fighting to allow vaccination efforts to proceed safely. These pauses create crucial windows for healthcare workers to administer vaccines without the risk of violence interrupting their mission.

Health officials are also drawing attention to the adverse sanitary conditions in Gaza, which could exacerbate the spread of the polio virus. Inadequate waste management and poor water quality create an environment conducive to disease proliferation. With around 90% of the population of Gaza, totaling approximately 2.3 million people, displaced due to the conflict, vaccination efforts face further complications.

Vaccination clinics will be established at approximately 160 sites throughout Gaza, including medical centers and schools, making it easier for parents to bring their children for inoculation. This approach aims to reach the broadest segment of the child population in the region while accommodating the challenging circumstances that many families are currently facing.

Initial reports from UNICEF indicate a strong start to the campaign; on the first full day, 72,600 children received their polio vaccination doses. This early success reflects community engagement and the critical need for immunizations amid an environment fraught with instability and fear of disease outbreak.

As the campaign progresses, health officials remain vigilant. They are closely monitoring the potential for any new cases and assessing the overall efficacy of the vaccination efforts amid logistical constraints. The situation in Gaza illustrates the precarious balance between public health needs and the realities of ongoing conflict, highlighting the need for continued support and intervention from the global community in this sensitive region.