Thousands of individuals remain forcibly displaced in the Khan Yunis and Deir al-Balah regions due to ongoing evacuation orders from Israel. This situation has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the Ministry of Health announced the arrival of 1.26 million doses of the polio vaccine. The health ministry is preparing to launch a vaccination campaign amid calls for a ceasefire to protect children from the virus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed grave concern following the confirmation of a polio infection in a 10-month-old child in Deir al-Balah. The WHO, in collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the United Nations, is initiating a two-stage vaccination campaign to combat the virus's spread in the region. With the ongoing conflict and displacement, the risk of polio transmission remains high, highlighting the urgent need for vaccinations.
Polio primarily affects children under five, and the implications of an outbreak in Gaza are severe. According to the WHO, one in every 200 cases leads to irreversible paralysis, and a significant percentage of those affected may die due to respiratory failure. The international community continues to call for an end to hostilities in Gaza to facilitate humanitarian efforts, including vaccination campaigns aimed at protecting vulnerable children.
