The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed this Friday that the third phase of the polio vaccination campaign in the north of the Gaza Strip will start this Saturday, after its postponement last week due to the intensification of attacks by Israel.
“Vaccination against polio in northern Gaza is ready to be resumed tomorrow. We have been given assurances about the necessary humanitarian pause in Gaza City to carry out the campaign,” said the agency’s director general, Tedros Adhanom. Ghebreyesus.
However, he has lamented through his account on the social network infection”.
“The WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) demand that humanitarian pauses be respected. However, what children in northern Gaza and throughout the Strip really need is peace,” Tedros added.
Shortly after, the WHO and UNICEF published a joint statement in which they recalled that the campaign was postponed on October 23 “due to lack of access and humanitarian pauses, intense bombing and mass evacuation orders.” “These conditions prevented families from safely having their children vaccinated and the immunization teams from carrying out their work,” they say.
Both organizations have regretted that, on this occasion, the campaign will take place only in Gaza City and have argued that, “although in recent weeks at least 100,000 people have been forced to leave northern Gaza towards Gaza City, Gaza for security reasons, around 15,000 children under the age of ten remain in northern towns, such as Jabalia, Beit Lahia and Beit Hanun, which remain inaccessible.”
In this sense, they have stressed that these minors “will not be able to be vaccinated”, which “compromises the effectiveness of the campaign” and have argued that “to stop the transmission of the polio virus, at least 90 percent of all boys and girls in each community and neighborhood, which will represent a challenge given the situation.
“The final phase of the campaign aimed to reach some 119,000 boys and girls under the age of ten in northern Gaza to provide them with a second dose of the new oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2). However, achieving this objective is unlikely due to access restrictions,” they reiterated.
“UNSTABLE SECURITY SITUATION”
However, they have elaborated that, despite this lack of access, it has been decided to resume the campaign with the aim of “avoiding delays in the vaccination of as many boys and girls as possible and taking advantage of the opportunity to vaccinate those who have recently evacuated to Gaza City from other parts of the north.
“In order to overcome the challenges posed by the unstable security situation and the constant movement of the population, micro plans have been developed to ensure that the campaign adapts to displacements in the north, after the first round of vaccination, carried out in September”, they have pointed out.
In this way, they have detailed that 216 teams will participate in the campaign in 106 fixed locations, 22 of which have been added to provide coverage to areas where the recently displaced are located. “The humanitarian pause has been extended by two hours and is expected to last daily from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (local time).”
“At the same time, and as was done in the first two rounds of vaccination, vitamin A will be administered to boys and girls between two and ten years old in the north to strengthen general immunity,” they stated, while adding that this campaign “follows the successful implementation of the first two phases of the second round in central and southern Gaza, which reached 451,216 boys and girls, 96 percent of the objective in these areas.”
“A total of 364,306 boys and girls between two and ten years old have received vitamin A so far in this round,” they noted, while reiterating their call to the parties to “respect the humanitarian pauses to guarantee the realization of of this second round of the polio vaccination campaign, which is crucial to stopping its spread in Gaza and neighboring countries.
COMPLAINTS FROM THE GAZATI AUTHORITIES
Tedros’ words come after the authorities of the Gaza Strip, controlled by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), announced on Wednesday that they would launch this Saturday an anti-polio campaign limited to the Gaza governorate due to “obstacles “imposed by Israel.
“Due to the current security situation in the Gaza governorate, the Ministry of Health will carry out the vaccination campaign on Saturday only in the Gaza governorate, in line with the available capacities,” said the Gaza Ministry of Health through from a statement published on his account on the social network Facebook.
Thus, he accused Israel of “avoiding the implementation of the third phase of the polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza” and warned that a failure to carry out this immunization campaign “implies not vaccinating thousands.” of children, which puts the entire campaign at risk.
The international organization confirmed on October 23 that the third phase of the second round of vaccination had been postponed due to the “intense bombings” by Israel and the orders for the displacement of the population in the north of the enclave, in the face of the new military offensive launched recently. of a month in the area.
In August, the WHO confirmed a case of polio in a ten-month-old baby in the center of the Palestinian enclave in the midst of the Israeli offensive, the first case of this type confirmed in the Gaza Strip for 25 years. Poliovirus was detected in environmental samples in Khan Yunis and Deir el Balah.
Israel’s offensive against Gaza was launched after the attacks carried out on October 7, 2023 against Israel, which left some 1,200 dead and nearly 250 kidnapped, according to Israeli authorities. Since then, more than 43,200 Palestinians have died, as the Gazan authorities have indicated, in addition to more than 750 Palestinians killed at the hands of Israeli security forces and in attacks carried out by settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since that date. .
Polio Vaccination Campaign in Gaza: A Comedy of Errors
So, ladies and gentlemen, gather round because we’ve got some serious business going on and it’s not about last week’s
reality show! No, it’s the World Health Organization’s apocalyptic announcement regarding a polio vaccination campaign in the
north of Gaza. Yes, you heard that right — while some are out there taking selfies with their avocado toast, children in Gaza
are facing the real-life horror of polio. A reminder that we live in a world where one group of kids is trying to survive
bombings, while another group can choose between a kale smoothie or a chocolate croissant.
A Delayed Vaccination: Who’s in Control?
The WHO confirmed that the polio vaccination campaign is finally gearing up for launch after a previous
postponement because, you know, battlefield charm might not quite work on a polio virus. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the
agency’s director, has given it his best shot (pun intended) of optimism, stating they’re all set to resume tomorrow. And
might I add, it’s adorable how he thinks a “humanitarian pause” will enable a proper vaccination campaign. You know, it’s not
like children are just going to pop out of hiding and say, “Oh splendid! Let’s get that polio vaccine while someone up
there is dropping bombs!” Ever try to get a kid to do anything when they’re scared? “Eat your peas or the monsters under
your bed will get you” — I don’t think “please get vaccinated” quite holds the same weight in their minds.
The Unfortunate Truth: Peace and Vaccines
“What children really need is peace,” Tedros said. Ah, peace! That calm, serene state we can only dream about when the
news tells us about another tragic incident. You know, just a casual request for peace in a place where the word “ceasefire”
sounds like it’s from a long-forgotten fable. I’m tempted to ask if the children would prefer a solid peace treaty or a shot
of nOPV2, but I’ve got the sneaking suspicion they’d pick the former while the WHO looks after business with syringes!
Challenges of an Ongoing Crisis
Now let’s discuss the staggering figure of young souls at risk — 15,000 children are still in northern Gaza, but don’t
worry, because the WHO and UNICEF are clever! They’re whipping up “micro-plans” to adapt to the “unstable security situation.”
If I could adapt my complaints about traffic to avoid the morning rush, I’d be getting paid to sit in my PJs.
Obstacles: From Bombs to Outrage
The grim reality is that the polio vaccination campaign can currently only roll out in Gaza City. You may as well sell
“Vaccination Locations: Limited Edition!” t-shirts. What’s worse? The Gaza Ministry of Health has put the blame on Israel for
those obstinately high “obstacles” that are cutting their vaccination plans short. You’ve got to love attributing blame in a
crisis—it’s like a game of dodgeball except with way more serious implications.
An Ominous Shadow of Polio
And just when you thought you could breathe easy, let’s not forget: Israel’s recent offensive leads us to the
confirmed case of a ten-month-old baby—a tragic reminder that polio thought it would sneak back into the Gaza Strip like a
not-so-welcome relative. And how do we deal with an unwanted returnee? Open up vaccination stations and pray we reach at
least 90% of the frightened kiddies out there.
Conclusion: Is It Enough?
So here we are, trying to navigate this labyrinth of urgency, danger, and humanitarian efforts while the world looks
on. If only there were some magic wand we could wave to protect these children from both the violent chaos around them
and an outdated virus that has made an unceremonious comeback. Politicians and world leaders, take note: it is the kids who
need a future! A future where they can get vaccinated without dodging airstrikes. And maybe — just maybe — peace will
reign supreme once more.
Until then, dear readers, let’s keep our fingers crossed and our hearts heavy. Because nothing says “life” like a
vaccination campaign amidst a war zone.
S Ahead: A Tough Road to Vaccination
With the announcement of 216 vaccination teams working tirelessly across 106 fixed locations, you might think we’ve got a well-oiled machine ready to tackle this polio crisis. But here’s the catch — many of those areas are still under intense bombardment, making it feel less like a coordinated health campaign and more like a strategic game of dodgeball. And let’s be real, kids playing on a battlefield is about as effective as trying to play hopscotch on a moving train!
Vitamin A and Other Miracles
But wait, there’s more! While the kids of Gaza are being offered the polio vaccine, they’re also getting a dose of vitamin A! Yes indeed, because what could be better than strengthening immunity while dodging airstrikes? It’s like telling people that your favorite dish is spaghetti with a side of grenades. Honestly, who’s planning this stuff?
Playing Blame Games
The Gaza authorities, controlled by Hamas, are throwing some serious shade towards Israel, holding them responsible for the missed vaccinations in northern Gaza. They’re claiming the “obstacles” as excuses for not getting enough children vaccinated. Imagine blaming the neighbor’s cat for not being able to finish your homework — welcome to geopolitics!
Final Thoughts: A Call for Sanity
As the world spins in chaos and children remain trapped in an ongoing nightmare, the irony is thick enough to slice with a knife. While we sit back comfortably in our bubble-wrapped lives, pondering which organic snack to indulge in next, let’s not forget the ones who simply ask for a chance to live without fear of both war and disease. It’s high time we push for laughter while making demands for peace and health — make it a double-whammy because these kids deserve better than to live in a real-life horror movie.
