Gaza Launches Emergency Polio Vaccination Drive to Protect Over 591,000 Children

The Gaza Strip is still experiencing an emergency polio outbreak response, for which a mass vaccination campaign between February 22 and 26, 2025, is planned. Over 591,000 children younger than 10 years will receive the new type of oral polio vaccine called nOPV2 from the health authorities.

This is aimed at preventing poliovirus circulation. The activity comes after detecting poliovirus in Gaza wastewater, which demonstrates continued circulation and poses a real threat to children.

Challenges and Threats for Poliovirus Spread

Low immunity within some segments enables the virus to transmit and cause disease. Overcrowded shelters and highly degraded water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure in Gaza provide conditions that enhance fecal-oral transmission. Furthermore, high population movement from the recent ceasefire raises the risk of additional poliovirus spread.

Two earlier rounds of vaccination in September and October 2024 were successful in reaching over 95% of the desired population. But new environmental samples from Deir al Balah and Khan Younis, taken in December 2024 and January 2025, confirm that transmission of the poliovirus has continued. The strain is genetically linked to the virus identified in Gaza in July 2024.

Although no additional cases of polio have occurred since an eight-month-old child was paralyzed in August 2024, the virus is still a danger, making continued vaccination necessary.

Improved Access for Health Workers

In 2024, healthcare workers were in difficulty reaching certain regions, which included central Gaza, north Gaza, and south Gaza. Access to the combat areas required prior special coordination. During round two, about 7,000 children were not vaccinated in areas like Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun, where humanitarian truces were not assured. Health professionals can now easily inoculate every youngster thanks to the recent truce.

Closing the Outbreak by Closing Immunity Gaps

To boost immunity and end the outbreak, the new effort will vaccinate all children under the age of ten, including those who were previously unvaccinated. The oral polio vaccination remains a crucial tool for halting the spread of the disease.

Another round of vaccination in April 2025 will maintain protection.

Under the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the campaign will be supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and other partners.

Health professionals emphasize that polio vaccinations are safe and that children can receive them as many times as they choose. Amid a continuing outbreak, protection becomes better with each dose. WHO, UNICEF and other partners are happy with the recent truce and are still calling for a lasting peace so that all Gazan children can continue to have access to healthcare.