Israel Agrees To Humanitarian Pause For Polio Vaccination in Gaza: WHO

Gaza: The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that an agreement had been reached with Israel to allow a mass polio vaccination campaign. This initiative will be facilitated by humanitarian pauses starting on September 1, 2024. Dr Rik Peeperkorn, head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) office for the West Bank and Gaza stated the polio vaccination campaign in Gaza would commence on Sunday, September 1.
In a post on X(previously Twitter), the United Nations News Service wrote, “UN health agency, WHO, alongside partners to start polio vaccination campaign on September 1, says Dr Rik Peeperkorn. Campaign to be conducted in two rounds; vital that it reaches at least 90 per cent coverage in both rounds.”
“We have had discussions with Israeli authorities and we have agreed to humanitarian pauses…for three days” – Dr. Peeperkorn “I am not going to say this is the ideal way forward. But this is a workable way forward…we have to stop [polio] transmission in Gaza and outside Gaza,” the post further reads.

#UPDATE#Gaza: UN health agency, WHO, alongside partners to start polio vaccination campaign on 1 September, says Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, @WHOoPt chief
Campaign to be conducted in two rounds; vital that it reaches at least 90% coverage in both rounds pic.twitter.com/RLv9VYE4pM
— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) August 29, 2024

The post further read, “Of course, all parties will have stick to this. We have to make sure that everyday we can do this campaign in this humanitarian pause…it is an ambitious target of 90%, but the teams here are ready for it, we are ready to go.”
In July 2024, the poliovirus was detected in environmental samples from Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah. Worryingly, three children presenting with suspected acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), a common symptom of polio, have since been reported in the Gaza Strip, news agency ANI reported.
Polio, short for poliomyelitis, is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily targets young children. It spreads through contaminated food and water, sometimes leading to paralysis in severe cases. Even with effective vaccines available, polio remains a worry in certain parts of the world. Despite significant advances, many hurdles remain in the battle against polio. Issues like vaccine hesitancy, difficult access to remote areas, and conflicts in certain regions continue to impede vaccination efforts.
(With ANI Inputs)