Polio Outbreak Response Launched in Gaza Strip with Mass Vaccination Campaign

Polio Outbreak Response in Gaza Strip

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) have launched an emergency polio outbreak response in the Gaza Strip. A mass vaccination campaign is scheduled for February 22nd to 26th, 2025, targeting over 591,000 children under 10 years of age.

This action follows the detection of poliovirus in wastewater samples in Gaza, indicating ongoing circulation of the virus and putting children at risk. Pockets of individuals with low or no immunity provide the virus with an opportunity to spread and potentially cause disease.

The current environment in Gaza, including overcrowded shelters and damaged water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure, creates ideal conditions for further spread of the virus. Extensive population movement due to the recent ceasefire is likely to exacerbate the situation.

The upcoming vaccination campaign aims to reach all children under 10 years of age, including those previously missed, to close immunity gaps and end the outbreak. The use of the oral polio vaccine will help prevent the spread of the virus. An additional polio vaccination round is planned for April.

The campaign is led by the Palestinian Ministry of Health and implemented with support from WHO, UNICEF, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and other partners.