Vaccination Campaign Resumes in Gaza City

This past weekend, nearly 94,000 children in Gaza City received their second dose of the polio vaccine in a critical health initiative, which had been delayed due to intense Israeli bombardment and mass evacuation orders in northern Gaza, according to the local health ministry.

Postponement of Vaccination Efforts

Originally, the second phase of this vaccination campaign was set to commence on October 23 across northern Gaza. However, it faced postponement due to uncertainties about pauses in hostilities that would ensure the safety of healthcare workers. On Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF issued a statement highlighting these concerns.

Background of Polio Vaccination Campaign

The first round of vaccinations, held in September, provided coverage for all of northern Gaza. Since then, the Israeli military has escalated its offensive against what it claims to be a resurgence of Hamas. This intensified military action has led to fears for children's safety, as around 15,000 children under 10 in the northern regions remained inaccessible and unvaccinated, jeopardizing the overall effectiveness of the campaign.

Challenges Faced by Healthcare Workers

The vaccination efforts were not without complications. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, reported an alarming incident to the public, revealing that on Saturday, a healthcare center distributing vaccines was struck, wounding six people, including four children. The nature of the strike remains unclear, as an Israeli military spokesman, Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, indicated that an internal review suggested they did not carry out any actions in that vicinity at that time.

Incidents Highlighting Risks in Healthcare Delivery

In a separate incident, UNICEF disclosed that a vehicle belonging to one of its staff members was fired upon, reportedly by a quadcopter, while they were assisting in the vaccination campaign. Fortunately, no injuries were sustained, but the incident underscores the severe risks faced by humanitarian workers amid ongoing conflict.

The Need for Urgent Vaccination

The urgency to vaccinate comes in response to the discovery of poliovirus traces in local wastewater in July, and the tragic confirmation of a 10-month-old boy in August who became paralyzed by poliovirus—marking Gaza's first case of polio-induced paralysis in 25 years. September's vaccination efforts, which were temporarily facilitated by pauses agreed upon by Israel and Hamas, had successfully immunized around 640,000 children under 10, highlighting the critical need for comprehensive health services in war-torn areas.

Humanitarian Situation in Northern Gaza

Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, painted a grim picture of the situation in northern Gaza, describing it as 'apocalyptic.' He stressed that the ongoing siege by Israeli forces had drastically interrupted the flow of humanitarian supplies and services, leaving affected populations in severe distress.

Outlook for the Future

As the Israeli military continues its operations in the region, particularly in Jabaliya—one of the hardest-hit areas—the outlook for northern Gaza remains dire. Aid agencies are calling for immediate action to ensure that all children receive necessary vaccines to protect them from preventable diseases amidst the backdrop of conflict and crisis.