Humanitarian Access Improves Quality of Polio Vaccination Campaign in the Gaza Strip

Humanitarian Access Improves Quality of Polio Vaccination Campaign in the Gaza Strip

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction to the Polio Vaccination Campaign
2. Impact of Ceasefire on Vaccination Efforts
3. Increased Coverage and Community Engagement
4. Collaboration Between Key Organizations
5. Ongoing Efforts to Strengthen Disease Surveillance
6. Challenges and the Path Forward

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Introduction to the Polio Vaccination Campaign

A significant five-day mass polio vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip has concluded successfully, with nearly 603,000 children under the age of 10 receiving the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2). The campaign aimed to combat the ongoing poliovirus outbreak and prevent its further spread throughout the region, utilizing the opportunity presented by the temporary ceasefire in Gaza.

This vital campaign was part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, aimed at curbing poliovirus transmission in the region and safeguarding children against the potentially debilitating disease.

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Impact of Ceasefire on Vaccination Efforts

The temporary ceasefire, which allowed for greater humanitarian access, proved instrumental in reaching areas that had previously been difficult to access. This round of vaccinations saw an additional 40,000 children receiving the polio vaccine compared to the previous rounds conducted in September and October 2024. The ceasefire enabled health workers to reach children who had missed vaccinations during times of displacement or due to insecurity in areas such as North Gaza, including Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun.

The improved access allowed for the simultaneous vaccination of children in all five governorates of Gaza, making this round of vaccinations one of the most comprehensive efforts to date.

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Increased Coverage and Community Engagement

Before the conflict, 89% of children in the Gaza Strip had received their third dose of the oral polio vaccine in 2023, reflecting the region's strong commitment to immunization. Community engagement and awareness campaigns have played a significant role in maintaining high vaccination rates, ensuring that families understand the importance of immunization.

This round saw 1660 vaccination teams deployed, including 1242 mobile teams, along with 1242 social mobilizers to spread awareness and encourage participation. Despite the challenging weather conditions, families eagerly participated in the campaign, ensuring that their children received the vaccine at vaccination points across the region.

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Collaboration Between Key Organizations

The vaccination campaign was a collaborative effort involving the Palestinian Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF, UNRWA, and other health partners. The combined expertise and resources of these organizations were crucial in reaching such a large number of children and ensuring the quality of the vaccination efforts.

The World Health Organization, in particular, has been at the forefront of coordinating the response to the polio outbreak, working closely with local health authorities and partners to ensure that the campaign is as effective as possible. UNICEF and UNRWA also played critical roles in providing essential support, including the distribution of vaccines and the mobilization of social workers.

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Ongoing Efforts to Strengthen Disease Surveillance

Since July 2024, disease surveillance efforts in Gaza have been intensified, with a particular focus on polio virus circulation. This timely surveillance helped identify ongoing environmental circulation of the poliovirus, highlighting the urgent need for additional vaccination rounds to protect children from the disease. Surveillance remains a key component in the fight to eradicate polio, as it enables health authorities to detect the presence of the virus and respond swiftly with targeted vaccination efforts.

The current round of vaccinations is a direct response to these findings and aims to strengthen immunity across the Gaza Strip to prevent further outbreaks.

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Challenges and the Path Forward

While significant progress has been made in the fight against polio in Gaza, the region still faces considerable challenges. The ongoing conflict and instability continue to complicate access to healthcare services, making it difficult to ensure the uninterrupted vaccination of all children. Moreover, the underlying issues of poor sanitation, lack of clean water, and nutritional deficiencies remain critical concerns that can increase vulnerability to polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative continues to call for a lasting ceasefire to allow for long-term improvements in healthcare, surveillance, and immunization efforts in Gaza. Continued international support is essential for achieving full polio eradication and ensuring that all children in Gaza and beyond are protected from the disease.

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Conclusion

The successful completion of the Gaza Strip's polio vaccination campaign is a major step toward controlling the poliovirus outbreak in the region. The campaign reached hundreds of thousands of children and benefited from improved humanitarian access during the ceasefire. With continued collaboration between health organizations and the community, the region is moving closer to the goal of eliminating polio once and for all.

Despite the challenges, the progress made underscores the importance of resilience and dedication in public health efforts, with the hope that sustained peace will allow for the completion of this critical mission. The world remains committed to ensuring that every child is vaccinated against polio and that no child is left behind in the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases.