A senior official from the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, announced on Thursday, September 20, the addition of micronutrients including essential vitamins and minerals, as well as nutritional screening in the second round of the polio vaccination campaign for 640,000 children in the Gaza Strip. Ted Chaiban, UNICEF's Deputy Executive Director for Humanitarian Action, stated that discussions are ongoing regarding the possibility of adding more vaccines to this campaign, including measles vaccination. He added that over 44,000 children have been born in the past year who have not received their initial vaccinations. The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) previously stated that the first round of the polio vaccination, which began on September 2, achieved its goal of covering 90% of children under ten years old. The first round of vaccinations was conducted over two weeks during 'humanitarian pauses.' This campaign was designed to be carried out in two phases, with each phase divided into three parts covering central, northern, and southern regions. The second dose of the polio vaccine must be administered four weeks after the first dose. The lack of documentation for children, ongoing displacement, difficulty in tracking them, and limited time from 6 AM to 3 PM during humanitarian pauses have been among the challenges of the polio vaccination campaign for thousands of children residing in Gaza. The World Health Organization announced on August 30 that following the confirmation of the first case of polio in an infant in Gaza after 25 years, the war would be temporarily and regionally halted to allow for polio vaccination for hundreds of thousands of children in the area. An assessment by a global hunger observer published in June indicated that as long as the war continues and access to humanitarian aid is limited, there is a 'high risk of famine' throughout Gaza. The UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for Humanitarian Action emphasized that just as the first round of polio vaccination was successfully carried out, primary vaccines must also be delivered to children, and other nutritional and health interventions necessary to save their lives should follow the same model. After a pause, the UN resumed the transfer of humanitarian aid from the American dock into Gaza. The Israeli army lifted the ban on food sales to Gaza. The UN reported that 187,000 children in Gaza received the polio vaccine, and the polio vaccination campaign in Gaza has begun. The World Health Organization reported 'limited pauses' in the war in Gaza for polio vaccination, stating that disease could take more lives than bombing in Gaza.
UNICEF: Polio Vaccination in Gaza Will Include Nutritional Support
UNICEF announced the inclusion of nutritional support in the second round of polio vaccinations for 640,000 children in Gaza, following a successful first round that covered 90% of children under ten. The campaign faces challenges due to ongoing conflict and displacement, but efforts are being made to ensure children receive essential vaccinations and nutritional support.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
UNICEF announced that the second round of polio vaccinations in Gaza will include nutritional support for 640,000 children. This follows a successful first round that vaccinated 90% of children under ten, despite challenges posed by ongoing conflict.
- Over 44,000 children in Gaza have not received their initial vaccinations.
- The first case of polio in Gaza after 25 years was confirmed, prompting urgent vaccination efforts.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Gaza has faced a public health crisis exacerbated by conflict, with polio re-emerging after decades. Vaccination campaigns are critical to prevent further outbreaks.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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