Polio Vaccination became the major concern for @WHO against polio and has issued an urgent call for a campaign in Gaza against polio, set to begin in late August and continue through September. This campaign comes in response to the detection of a circulating polio virus variant in the region, posing a significant threat to the health of children.
Polio described as the critical need for temporary humanitarian pauses in the ongoing conflict against polio to allow for the safe and effective administration of the vaccine. A seven-day ceasefire during each round of the campaign is requested to ensure that health workers can reach all children and adults suffering from polio, especially those in areas heavily affected by the violence.
The urgency of this vaccination effort underscores the dire public health situation in Gaza. The WHO , and other health organizations emphasize that while these vaccination campaigns are essential to preventing a potential outbreak, the ultimate safeguard for the children of Gaza is the establishment of lasting peace.
Key Points
Vaccination Campaign: Two rounds of polio vaccinations are planned by WHO ,to protect children in Gaza from a circulating virus variant. These campaigns are scheduled for late August and September.
Humanitarian Pauses: The call for seven-day humanitarian pauses during each round of the campaign is essential to ensure that the vaccines can be safely administered to all children. These pauses are necessary to allow health workers access to affected areas and to guarantee the safety of the population during the vaccination efforts.
Importance of Peace: The message underscores that while vaccination is crucial, the ultimate protection for children in Gaza and around the world is peace. Ending the conflict would not only allow for better healthcare access but also ensure a safer environment for all.
Campaign Schedule:
Target Group: Follow-up for all children vaccinated in the first round to ensure full immunization coverage.
First Round:
Start Date: End of August 2024
Duration: 7 days
Target Group: All children under the age of 5 in Gaza.
Second Round:
Start Date: Mid-September 2024
Duration: 7 days
Campaign Details:
- Objective: The campaign aims to immunize every child under the age of 5 in Gaza against polio, targeting over 400,000 children in total.
- Vaccination Strategy:
- Door-to-Door Vaccination: Health workers will go door-to-door to ensure that all eligible children receive the vaccine.
- Fixed and Mobile Vaccination Sites: Additional vaccination points will be set up in schools, clinics, and community centers to reach children in different areas.
- Humanitarian Pauses:
- The WHO is advocating for a seven-day ceasefire during each round of the campaign to allow safe access for health workers to administer the vaccine. This is crucial for reaching children in conflict-affected areas.
- Vaccine Used:
- The oral polio vaccine (OPV) will be administered, which is effective in providing immunity and preventing the spread of the virus.
- Logistics and Support:
- The WHO, in collaboration with local health authorities, UNICEF, and other partners, will manage the distribution of vaccines and the deployment of health workers across Gaza.
- Cold chain logistics will be ensured to maintain the vaccine’s efficacy, even in remote and conflict-affected areas.
- Community Engagement:
- Awareness campaigns will be conducted through local media, social networks, and community leaders to educate parents about the importance of vaccinating their children and to encourage participation in the campaign.
Importance of the Campaign:
Polio is a critical public health intervention aimed at preventing the spread of polio in Gaza among children and adults. The success of this campaign depends on the cooperation of all parties to ensure safe access for health workers and the participation of the community to achieve full immunization coverage.