In order to enable a vital polio vaccination program, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared on Thursday that it had reached a deal with Israel to impose restricted ceasefires in Gaza. This choice was made in response to the identification of the first polio case in Gaza in 25 years, a noteworthy medical advancement that highlights the critical necessity for vaccination.
The concept was presented at a U.N. press conference held virtually from Deir al-Balah in central Gaza by Rik Peeperkorn, a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Palestinian territories. The vaccine campaign will begin on Sunday, with combat paused for humanitarian reasons. These pauses will last for three days, from six in the morning to three in the afternoon, with the option to prolong them by one more day if needed.
The goal of the immunization campaign is to immunize some 640,000 Gaza’s younger residents. The oral polio vaccination will be administered in two doses to each youngster. During the official humanitarian pauses, the first round of vaccines will take place, and four weeks later, the second round.
Peeperkorn underlined the significance of these breaks, stating that they are necessary to guarantee that families can take their kids to immunization locations and get home safely at the end of the day. Phases of the campaign will be carried out, starting in central Gaza and progressing to the southern and northern areas of the region.
Although polio has been completely eradicated in the majority of the world, there are still some nations where the illness persists. The outbreak in Gaza serves as a reminder of the continuous dangers posed by polio, which can result in serious side effects, such as paralysis. This emergency vaccine reaction is in response to the last verified case in Gaza, which included a 10-month-old baby who suddenly lost the ability to crawl.
The WHO’s agreement with Israeli officials is a major step in containing any possible regional spread. With the complicated humanitarian situation in Gaza, the limited ceasefires are viewed as a workable solution to the problems caused by the ongoing conflict, enabling the vital vaccination process to continue.
The issue is being closely watched by the international community, particularly relief organizations operating in the area. Through this coordinated immunization program, they hope to protect susceptible youngsters and stop the spread of polio. The humanitarian pauses’ successful execution and the broad involvement of local families in the immunization activities will determine the campaign’s effectiveness.
SOURCE :
AP NEWS
