Gaza’s First Polio Case in 25 Years Sparks Urgent Vaccination Campaign Amid Ongoing Conflict

For the first time in 25 years, a polio case has been recorded in Gaza, raising alarm among health workers and aid agencies. The detection of the virus in a 10-month-old unvaccinated baby has prompted a call for an urgent mass vaccination campaign, set to begin on August 31.

The United Nations, alongside local authorities, has detailed plans to vaccinate approximately 640,000 children across the war-torn territory. However, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas presents formidable challenges. Airstrikes, infrastructure damage, and extreme summer heat threaten the effectiveness and reach of the campaign.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF are coordinating the logistics, with supplies already arriving in the region. Despite Israel’s claims of facilitating aid, the actual delivery of vaccines and their administration amidst the devastation remains a significant concern.

The UN aims to administer two doses of the oral polio vaccine to around 95% of children under 10 years old. However, health officials emphasize that without a safe environment, reaching this target will be difficult.

The return of polio, a disease that had been eradicated from Gaza, highlights the dire consequences of prolonged conflict on public health. As Gaza’s healthcare system crumbles, global attention is focused on the efforts to protect its most vulnerable population—children—from a potentially devastating outbreak.