A mass vaccination campaign against polio is set to take place in the Gaza Strip from February 22 to 26, targeting over 591,000 children under 10 years old with a novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV2). The move comes after wastewater samples detected poliovirus in Gaza, suggesting ongoing transmission.
Poor sanitation and limited immunity among the population facilitate the spread of the virus. Recent vaccination rounds, despite initial success, left some areas inaccessible due to the conflict, resulting in approximately 7,000 missed vaccinations.
A recent ceasefire has improved access for health workers, allowing them to better reach those who were previously unvaccinated. No new polio cases have been reported since August, but environmental samples confirm ongoing transmission of a strain linked to the July 2024 outbreak.
The upcoming campaign aims to close immunity gaps and end the outbreak by providing additional protection through vaccination. A second round is planned for April. The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and partners are urging a lasting ceasefire to bring long-term peace.
Polio vaccines have been deemed safe, with each dose providing necessary protection during an active outbreak.
Source: https://www.who.int/news/item/19-02-2025-mass-polio-vaccination-campaign-to-continue-in-the-gaza-strip