WHO: Intense Israeli bombardment halts polio vaccination in northern Gaza
The World Health Organization (WHO) says Israel’s intense bombardment has prevented children across northern Gaza from receiving their third and final dose of the polio vaccine.
The WHO said Wednesday that it had to postpone the final phase of the last phase of its campaign, which was set to begin today.
“This final phase aimed to vaccinate 119,279 children across northern Gaza,” it said.
The UN agency said “humanitarian pauses are essential for its success” in the besieged Gaza Strip.
“It is imperative to stop the polio outbreak as soon as possible, before more children are paralyzed and poliovirus spreads further.”
The WHO said the current conditions continue to jeopardize the people’s safety and movement in northern Gaza, making it impossible for families to safely bring their children for vaccination, and health workers to operate.
Poliovirus, which is highly infectious, typically spreads through sewage and contaminated water. Polio causes paralysis and other grave symptoms and can be fatal.
The Health Ministry in Gaza also said on Wednesday that Israeli forces have been “putting obstacles in the way” of the vaccination campaign in the territory, especially in the heavily besieged and bombarded north.
“This is hindering its timely implementation, and depriving the children of Gaza and North Governorate of their right to receive the vaccination.”
Currently, 400,000 people are trapped in northern Gaza, facing Israel’s constant bombardment and mass evacuation orders.
On Tuesday, the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA), WHO and other UN agencies asked the Israeli regime for immediate access to deliver lifesaving humanitarian aid to the area.
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