Mass vaccination from poliomyelitis is resumed in the Gaza sector

From February 22 to 26, the mass campaign for vaccination of children from poliomyelitis will continue in the Gaza sector. The new oral vaccine against the second type of polio (NOPV2) will be introduced by more than 591 thousand children under the age of 10 years. Vaccination is resumed in connection with the recent detection of polyovirus in wastewater samples in gas.

According to a WHO, the current situation in the Gaza sector, including the overflow of shelters and the damaged infrastructure of water supply, sanitation and goigines creates ideal conditions for the further spread of polyovirus, and large -scale movement of the population as a result of the ceasefire will aggravate this process.

The World Health Organization claims that the two previous rounds of vaccination in the Gaza sector were successfully carried out in September and October 2024, covering more than 95% of the target group. However, due to military operations, difficulties remained in access to certain sector areas, such as Jabalia, Beit Lahia and Beit Khanun, and about 7,000 children missed vaccination.

Since August 2024, when the paralysis caused by poliomyelitis has developed in a ten-month-old child in the Gaza sector, there have been no new cases, but samples from the environment to Dir El Balach and Khan Junis confirm the presence of polyovirus.

The vaccination campaign will be carried out by the Ministry of Health of the Gaza sector with the support of WHO, UnICEF and UNRWA.