Vaccination against paralysis in the Gaza Strip: Admitted to 1.1 million doses!

Vaccination against paralysis in the Gaza Strip: Admitted to 1.1 million doses!

Gazastreifen, Palästinensische Gebiete - Tel Aviv/Geneva - A dramatic fight against paralysis in the Gaza Strip has achieved a crucial milestone after two intensive months! The mass vaccination, which was coordinated by Israel and the UN Children's Aid Unicef, has now been completed. Around 1.1 million vaccine doses were administered in the contested coastal strip, and impressive 556,774 children received the vital two vaccine boxes. The first round started on September 1st, followed by the second dose from mid -October. This achieved the critical vaccination rate of over 90 percent required for protection against the poliovirus.

vaccination rate under pressure

Despite these successes, Unicef ​​warns of a dangerous situation! In the northern Gaza Strip, where violent fights romp between the Israeli army and Hamas, the vaccination rate is only around 88 percent. It is estimated that between 7,000 and 10,000 children in difficult areas such as Jabalija, Beit Lahia and Beit Hanun are still unprotected and susceptible to the poliovirus. This alarming situation could significantly increase the risk of further spreading the virus not only in the Gaza Strip, but also in the neighboring countries.

The vaccination campaign was carried out by local health authorities, Unicef ​​and the UN Palestinian aid work, with the Israeli military authority Cogat providing logistical support. In order to enable the vaccinations, short -term humanitarian fire breaks were agreed. The vaccination campaign is of crucial importance to stop the spread of the poliovirus that can cause lifelong paralysis. The first polio case in 25 years was discovered in the Palestinian area in August, which underlines the urgency of these measures. The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, tightened by the Israeli military actions since the devastating terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, makes the fight against this disease all the more critical.