WHO Races To Curb Polio Spread In Gaza With Urgent Second Vaccination Drive

As tensions continue in the Middle East, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced plans to begin the second round of polio vaccinations in Gaza, fearing rapid disease spread in the war-torn region. The international body is in talks with Israeli authorities to start the next phase on October 14.

Ayadil Saparbekov, a senior WHO official for emergencies in the Palestinian territories, stated that the goal is to complete the vaccination drive by October 29. The first phase, launched on September 1, successfully administered oral polio vaccines to over 640,000 children under the age of 10, achieving a coverage rate of at least 90%.

Gaza, devastated by ongoing conflict, is facing severe public health challenges. With many of the 2.4 million residents displaced, overcrowded refugee camps and unsanitary conditions are heightening concerns of a polio outbreak. In August, Gaza reported its first case of polio in 25 years. Additionally, variant type 2 poliovirus (cVDPV2) was detected in a 10-month-old baby, raising alarms about a potential epidemic.

WHO stressed the importance of administering two doses of the vaccine four weeks apart to prevent the virus from spreading. Talks with Israeli defense and health ministries are ongoing to ensure the timely execution of the second vaccination round, as authorities closely monitor the situation.