During the first phase of a two-round polio vaccination campaign, conducted between 1–3 September 2024, health workers vaccinated over 187,000 children under ten years of age with the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) in central Gaza. Vaccination coverage in this phase exceeded the initial estimated target of 157 000 children due to population movement towards central Gaza, and expanded coverage in areas outside the humanitarian pause zone.  

To ensure no child is missed in this area, four large health facilities in central Gaza will continue administering polio vaccinations over the next few days. These sites have received vaccine doses to meet any additional needs.

“It has been extremely encouraging to see thousands of children being able to access polio vaccines, with the support of their resilient families and courageous health workers, despite the deplorable conditions they have braved over the last 11 months. All parties respected the humanitarian pause and we hope to see this positive momentum continue,” said Dr Richard Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for the occupied Palestinian territory.

513 teams, consisting of over 2,180 health and community outreach workers, conducted the first phase of the campaign. Vaccination was provided at 143 fixed sites, including hospitals, medical points, primary care centres, camps where displaced people are living, key public gathering spaces such as temporary learning spaces, food and water distribution points, and transit routes leading from central towards northern and southern Gaza. Additionally, mobile teams visited tents and hard to-reach areas to ensure they reached families who were unable to visit fixed sites. The presence of a substantial number of children eligible for vaccination who were unable to reach vaccination sites due to insecurity, necessitated special missions to Al-Maghazi, Al-Bureij and Al-Mussader – areas just outside of the agreed zone for the humanitarian pause.  

Teams are preparing to roll out the next phase of the campaign in southern Gaza from 5–8 September 2024, targeting an estimated 340,000 children under ten years old. They will deploy 517 teams, including 384 mobile teams. Nearly 300 community outreach workers have already started engaging with families in southern Gaza to raise awareness about the campaign. Additionally, 490 vaccine carriers, 90 cold storage boxes, and other supplies have been transferred to Khan Younis for distribution to vaccination sites.

“The successful delivery of the first phase of the campaign in central Gaza is a culmination of immense coordination among various partners, including the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) and donors, and underscores the importance of peace for the health and well-being of people in Gaza. We call on all parties to continue fulfilling their commitment to the humanitarian pauses as the second phase of the campaign begins tomorrow,” said Dr Peeperkorn. 

Health authorities will implement the third and final phase of the polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza from 9–11 September 2024, targeting around 150,000 children.

Also Read: Humanitarian Breaks Essential for Polio Vaccination in Gaza Strip

To stop the outbreak, prevent the international spread of polio, and reduce the risk of its re-emergence, the campaign must achieve at least 90% vaccination coverage during each round, given the severely disrupted health, water, and sanitation systems in the Gaza Strip. The team will monitor vaccination coverage throughout the campaign, extending vaccinations when necessary to meet coverage targets as part of flexible strategies to ensure every eligible child receives their vaccine dose.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health (MOH), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and various partners, is conducting a two-round campaign to provide two drops of nOPV2 to around 640,000 children during each round.