In our conversation today, we focus on the urgent situation concerning polio vaccination efforts in Gaza. Over 442,000 children in central and southern Gaza received their second dose of the oral polio vaccine earlier this month. However, the United Nations has announced a postponement of the emergency vaccination campaign in northern Gaza, attributing this decision to intense bombardments, mass displacements, and restricted access to healthcare.
This critical vaccination campaign was initiated following Gaza’s first case of polio in 25 years, which unfortunately resulted in the paralysis of a baby boy. The final phase of this two-stage rollout was scheduled to commence on Wednesday, with nearly 120,000 children in northern Gaza anticipated to receive their second dose.
However, the Israeli military has intensified its operations in the Jabalia area, claiming it is targeting regrouping Hamas fighters. The impact of this offensive has been devastating, with reports indicating that over 400 individuals have lost their lives and approximately 60,000 have been displaced in just the past two weeks.
For those residents unable or unwilling to evacuate, the situation has become increasingly dire, with reports of dwindling food supplies and other essential resources. The challenges facing both healthcare providers and families in the region raise urgent questions about the future of public health and safety in Gaza.
