Gaza Polio Vaccinations to Resume Following WHO Report of Clinic Strike
The polio vaccination campaign in north Gaza is set to resume on Sunday, following an attack on the Sheikh Radwan clinic that left six people injured, including four children. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the strike occurred, but did not specify the responsible party. However, Gaza’s civil defence agency stated that it was carried out by an Israeli quadcopter. Israel has denied involvement and is currently investigating the incident.
Unicef, a key player in the vaccination rollout, condemned the attack on the clinic, labeling it as “indiscriminate strikes on civilians.” The second phase of the vaccine rollout was initially delayed in October due to Israeli bombardments, mass displacement, and limited access in the region.
Gaza witnessed its first case of polio in 25 years in August, which led to a baby boy being paralyzed and prompted the initiation of the vaccination program. The resumption of immunizations comes amidst dire conditions in north Gaza, with 15 UN and humanitarian organizations describing the situation as “apocalyptic” following an Israeli ground offensive that began a month ago.
A humanitarian pause in the fighting has been agreed upon to facilitate the restart of vaccinations in Gaza City. The campaign is scheduled to run for three days. WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus expressed dismay over the strike on the Sheikh Radwan clinic, emphasizing that it occurred during a humanitarian pause when parents were bringing their children for vaccination.
In a separate incident in Jabalia, a Unicef staff member’s car was targeted, believed to be by a quadcopter. Although the driver escaped unharmed, Unicef called for an investigation into the matter.
Despite efforts to reach children under 10 in north Gaza, including towns like Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun, access constraints pose a significant challenge to the vaccination campaign. The WHO had aimed to administer a second dose of the oral polio vaccine to 119,000 children in the area, but achieving this target seems unlikely given the current circumstances.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has severely impacted the vaccination efforts, with medical experts warning that delays in administering the second dose could jeopardize the overall goal of halting polio transmission. To interrupt transmission effectively, at least 90% of all children need to receive a minimum of two doses.
The UN has raised concerns about the deteriorating situation in north Gaza, with hundreds reported killed since the Israeli military launched its offensive. Approximately 100,000 people have been forced to evacuate to Gaza City for safety, with severe shortages of essential supplies exacerbating the crisis.
International pressure is mounting on Israel to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, with the US warning of potential cuts to military assistance if action is not taken. The conflict was sparked by Hamas’s attack on southern Israel, resulting in a retaliatory campaign by Israel that has claimed thousands of lives in Gaza.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, access to accurate information remains a challenge due to restrictions on international journalists. The urgency to address the humanitarian crisis and ensure the success of the polio vaccination campaign remains paramount in the midst of ongoing conflict and instability in the region.
