- Polio vaccinations suspended amid Israeli bombardment
- Nearly 120,000 children across the north without second dose
- Herd immunity requires 90% of children to have two doses
- Israel bombarding civilian infrastructure says UN statement
Polio vaccinations suspended amid Israeli bombardment
The UN has postponed a polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza due to heavy Israeli bombardments and mass displacement. The campaign, aimed at providing a second dose of the vaccine to nearly 120,000 children, was delayed amid ongoing military actions in Jabalia.
This comes after Gaza reported its first polio case in 25 years, which left a baby paralysed. Health experts warn that delays could impact efforts to stop the spread of the disease, as herd immunity requires at least 90% of children to receive two doses.
Despite reaching 442,000 children in southern and central Gaza, the final phase in the north has been postponed, leaving many children without the critical second dose.
“The current conditions, including ongoing attacks on civilian infrastructure continue to jeopardize people’s safety and movement in northern Gaza, making it impossible for families to safely bring their children for vaccination, and health workers to operate,” UN agencies said in a joint statement on Wednesday.
Read the WHO’s statement on suspending the Polio vaccination.