WHO Announces Three-Day Pause in Gaza Conflict for Polio Vaccination Drive

According to SAEDNEWS, "Now it's critical that we reach 90% vaccination coverage," said Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as reported by Anadolu Agency. The vaccination campaign will take place in two phases, and Peeperkorn stressed the importance of achieving this coverage to prevent further outbreaks.

Speaking at a virtual news conference from Gaza, he welcomed the commitment for humanitarian pauses during the vaccination efforts. Peeperkorn urged all parties involved to ensure that children and families can safely access health facilities and outreach workers during the breaks. He emphasized that children who cannot get to health facilities must still be able to receive the polio vaccine.

The agreed-upon humanitarian pause involves three days of ceasefire in different areas of Gaza. There will be a three-day pause in the central zone, followed by days in the southern and northern zones. "The campaign will be extended by one day per zone, or even more when necessary," he added.

Currently, 1.26 million doses of the polio vaccine and 500 carriers have arrived in Gaza, with an additional 1,000 doses expected soon, according to Peeperkorn. The vaccination campaign will be conducted in collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and UNRWA.

"We have 392 fixed sites and we have almost 300 mobile teams," Peeperkorn noted, stating that the vaccination efforts will kick off in the central zone of Gaza. The humanitarian pauses are scheduled for eight hours each day, ideally allowing vaccinations to occur in the morning.

Peeperkorn acknowledged that these "area-specific humanitarian pauses" are not "ideal" but expressed determination to make them work. He also highlighted a severe health crisis in Gaza, noting that 17 out of 36 hospitals are only partially functional, and 58 out of 132 primary health care centers are in similar condition. "We need a medical corridor. We need a medical corridor to East Jerusalem and the West Bank, the original traditional one, to be restored. We need a medical corridor to Egypt to open again, and if needed and possible to Jordan," he said.

This announcement comes in light of alarming health concerns, as Gaza’s Health Ministry reported the first confirmed case of polio in the region in 25 years, involving a 10-month-old baby who had not received any doses of the vaccine. The disease primarily impacts children under five, with a risk of irreversible paralysis in 1 out of 200 cases.

Since October 7, Israel has continued its military offensive in Gaza, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 40,600 Palestinian deaths, primarily among women and children, and more than 93,800 injuries, according to local health authorities.