Israel's Polio Vaccination Strategy Amid Gaza Outbreak
In light of the ongoing polio outbreak in Gaza, infectious disease experts in Israel are recommending a significant shift in the country's vaccination strategy. The proposal suggests reducing the number of polio vaccine doses from two to one, a decision driven by a global vaccine shortage and the ineffectiveness of the current droplet vaccine against the type 2 polio strain spreading in Gaza. This recommendation has been forwarded to the Director General of the Ministry of Health for further consideration.
Prof. Galia Rahav, chair of the Association for Infectious Diseases, expressed concerns that soldiers returning from Gaza could potentially import the type 2 strain into Israel. She urged for close monitoring of these individuals to prevent any transmission to their families. Meanwhile, Prof. Shmuel Rishpon has proposed exploring the possibility of importing the NOPV 2 vaccine currently used in Gaza. The urgency of the situation is underscored by the dwindling supply of droplet vaccines in Israel, which are expected to be exhausted in a few months due to halted production by pharmaceutical companies.
Polio Vaccination Campaign in Gaza
As Israel contemplates its vaccination strategy, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported promising progress in Gaza's vaccination campaign, with over 160,000 children under the age of 10 vaccinated within the first two days. Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO Representative for the occupied Palestinian territory, confirmed that the campaign has exceeded its initial target of 156,500 children, highlighting the cooperation among parties during the humanitarian pause.
The campaign has seen impressive numbers, with more than 86,600 children vaccinated on the first day and 74,340 on the second. Dr. Peeperkorn emphasized the need for a 90 percent immunization rate to effectively halt the virus's spread in the region. The UN has set a goal to vaccinate a total of 640,000 children across Gaza, with a second round of vaccinations planned in four weeks to ensure comprehensive coverage.
- The type 2 polio strain currently affecting Gaza is derived from a live attenuated vaccine, which has raised concerns about its potential to spread among unvaccinated populations. This has led to heightened vigilance among health officials in Israel, particularly regarding soldiers who may have been exposed to the virus. The discussion surrounding the vaccination strategy reflects broader concerns about public health trust in Israel, as vaccination rates have declined in recent years. Experts emphasize the importance of maintaining robust vaccination programs, especially during times of crisis, to ensure community immunity and prevent outbreaks.
